I didn't sleep.
How could I, after what Cassandra showed me?
She hadn't answered all my questions—hell, she'd barely answered any. Just stared into the broken mirror like it was counting down the seconds to something I couldn't see.
The Reflection Tomb was sealed again now. She said only I could open it next.
Convenient.
It felt like she'd passed a curse into my hands with a polite little smile.
When dawn came, I taught my classes like normal. Explained tactical pattern disruption and cursed rune misfires with all the flair of a tired jester. My students noticed, of course.
Julien was the first to call me out.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," he said, spinning a practice blade lazily. "Or maybe you've become one."
Mira narrowed her eyes, clearly sensing something. Felix didn't even try to hide how worried he was.
I brushed it off.
"Just indigestion," I muttered. "Now pair up. If I don't see at least two of you limping by the end of class, I'll be very disappointed."
