Chapter 20 · Untitled Chapter

"You shouldn't be here." The headmaster's voice cracks as Ivy's hand closes around the ash vial in her pocket. Behind her, Leon slams the door shut and plants himself in front of it.

"Neither should you." The headmaster goes pale beneath the lamp. Blood beads across his palm where he's crushed the chalk. On the table between them, the core pulses hard enough to shake the glass. Every flare throws jagged shadows across the curved walls.

"Step away from the table," he says.

"Now."

"Try making me." Leon's laugh is short and ugly. He shifts closer to Ivy, shoulder brushing hers. The heat of him cuts through the cold coming off the core.

"You two don't understand what you're looking at."

"Then explain it fast." Ivy keeps her eyes on the orb. Fresh chalk circles cover the floor, white lines painted over old burn marks.

"You built the loop," she says.

"You killed those students."

"No." The headmaster drops the chalk like it burned him.

"I didn't kill anyone."

"The bodies say otherwise."

"The loop isn't mine." His gaze snaps to the core.

"It's Karl's." Leon's hand moves toward the knife at his belt.

"Karl's dead."

"His body's dead.