Maris hummed doubtfully but stayed quiet. She watched me closely, as if waiting for me to mess up and say something wrong.

I cleared my throat.

“We shouldn’t linger in the halls. The guards are still watching us, even if we can’t see them. Talking like this..” I let the warning hang, deliberately.

Tessa paled and nodded quickly. “You’re right.”

“Fine. But don’t expect me to stop asking questions,” Maris said.

I forced another smile, “Ask all you like. Just ...