The sun was low in the sky, covering the academy halls with beautiful golden light. Ivy sat quietly in class, the air heavy with whispers she pretended not to hear. Damien hadn’t shown up that morning. he had said he was handling something important with the council. His mother’s trial. Evelyn’s, too.

The thought alone made her stomach twist.

Even the professors treated her differently now. Their gazes shifted nervously when they called names, skipping over hers. No one dared to ...