Lisa laughed softly again, eyes glinting. “So the stone has a crack. And Azpen is standing too close to it. I wonder if he’ll peer in or fall through.”

Baron’s jaw shifted slightly, then he met her gaze. “If he falls, I won’t catch him.”

A long silence followed.

Outside, the bells of the dormitory tower struck once.

Lisa smiled knowingly and stood. “I like this cadet already. Maybe I’ll speak to him before I leave.”

Baron straightened. “Don’t toy with ...