The weight of their gazes clung to me long after the nobles dispersed. Their polished shoes clicked against the stone as they vanished into the crowd, but I could still feel their eyes, like needles pressing into the back of my neck.
Alaric let out a strangled sigh. "You just turned down the most powerful study circle in the academy."
"Yes."
"Yes? That's all you have to say? Loki, they'll—"
"—try again," I interrupted. "Or they'll get angry. Either way, they'll reveal something useful."
Nyx hopped down from my shoulder, padding ahead with the arrogance of a shadow that owned the sunlight. "Useful," he drawled. "Yes, because what you need most in life is more furious noble brats hurling daggers at your back. Truly a flawless strategy."
"Thank you," I said.
"That wasn't—"
"—a compliment, I know."
I kept walking.
