CIARA’S POV

My phone buzzed against my ear, and I pressed it closer as we drove through the winding roads leading to the academy.

"Ciara, sweetheart, are you almost there?" Mom's voice came through crystal clear, that familiar note of worry threading through her words.

I glanced at Darragh, who was focused on the road ahead but listening. The academy's towers were just coming into view through the trees. "Yes, Mom. We should be there in about ten minutes."

"And everything is alright? You have ...