Zera just returned from her first of three lectures today, and she settled in her chair to resume the work on her table when a knock came on the door.

Her head lifted, and she set down the pen in her hand. “Who’s it?” she asked, but received silence as a response.

She sat back down and was about to resume work when the knock came again; this time she grew annoyed.

Unlike what Davine had done by letting himself in weeks ago, the one at the door didn’t open it. ...