We stepped through the heavy glass doors of the academy together, the cool air inside hitting my face. I lingered in the corridor just beyond the main hall while Elliot disappeared down the long stretch toward Mr. Charles’s office. The moment the door closed behind him, I started pacing—five steps one way, five steps back, fingers twisting the thin fake gold chain around my neck.

Minutes stretched into forever. Every time I heard footsteps I froze, heart slamming against my ribs, only to ...