I sat at my desk after midnight, the scent resonance data from the class exercise spread before me in careful columns.

The numbers and readings covered three pages, each entry detailed in my precise handwriting. My new assistant Corbin, hovered by the door, waiting for instructions.

"Bring me the earlier files," I said without looking up. "The suppression rune reactions. The scent fluctuation patterns."

"Yes, Professor."

Corbin scurried to the filing cabinet. I reviewed the data again, my ...