By the time I made it back to the dining hall, the morning crowd had thinned out. Perfect.

I kept my hoodie low, tray balanced in one hand, head down as I slid into the last corner seat near the back wall.

Sleep hadn’t come easy last night. Not after Cassian. Not after his voice, low and close in the dark, whispering, “Next time you lie to me, I’ll know.”

I stabbed a piece of sausage with my fork and forced it into my mouth. It tasted dry and flavorless but it kept my hands ...