Cassia leaned against the railing at the far end of the school hallway, her sharp eyes fixed on the girl who had hurried over to meet her. The girl looked nervous, clutching her books tightly, but there was pride in her voice as she delivered her report.

“It’s done,” she whispered quickly. “He got the message. I followed him discreetly like you asked, and just before he got to the location, I sent you the beep.”

Cassia’s lips curved slowly into a smirk. “Good. You’ve done well. ...