Adam's voice cut through the rumble of his lightning halberds, overpowering the cacophony of laboured breaths and disbelieving gasps from over two hundred students. The committee members hid their shock with more discipline, but their pupils remained constricted, fingers squeezing their wands until the enchanted timber cracked even as they reinforced the barrier.
Among them, Astride glared at him. Her frown raked through her forehead like bitter scars. She entered the venue beneath the starlit ceiling, eyes darting to Dorian and Abyrath. Both trembled under the halberds, a few feet in front of Adam's throne. Then to Adam, who gazed at them with more contempt than a disappointed teacher.
Yet, though he read her displeasure with him and her disciple's performance, he noticed how she stole glances at Virgo. Everyone was. He believed very few had ever seen her, if any, besides the Teacher of the House of Exorcism. He wouldn't bet on it, though. But Astride's glances were different.
