*Aria's POV**

The thing about being backed into a corner by people who want to kill you is that it clarifies your priorities remarkably fast. Survival became my only objective, and everything else—fear, doubt, the chains holding Riven—became obstacles to overcome.

"You know," I said, taking a step closer to Elder Kalliope despite the guards flanking her, "I've learned something important during my time at this Academy."

"And what's that?" she asked, looking amused by my apparent ...