Andromeda spat crimson to the side, his boots grinding against the cafeteria floor as he stepped forward, ignoring the way Khael's arm subtly barred his path. "I'm not done with you, Lomwel."
The air in the room had gone heavy like the whole academy cafeteria was holding its breath, waiting for the first strike to ignite everything. Chairs stood half-toppled, trays slid off tables in slow motion, and Harmonae's low hum still reverberated in the air like a taut string ready to snap.
From the far end of the room, a clear, commanding voice cut through the tension.
"What's going on here?"
Heads turned. Rael Eluron strode in, platinum hair catching the Umbraen light pouring through the tall windows. His steps were steady, deliberate, the kind that made the surrounding crowd instinctively part to give him room.
Kaen's eyes widened. "Rael."
