Chapter 15 · Danny's Name on the Death List

"Marcus, don't."

Reina's hand locked around my wrist before I could bolt after the transmitter signal. Her grip was ice-cold, still shaking from whatever Shadow had done when he wore Danny like a cheap suit.

"That's my student out there," I said.

"That's bait." She didn't let go. "Shadow wants you chasing. Wants you scattered. The second you leave this courtyard—"

"Then come with me." I yanked free. "You said you've been dreaming this. You see him die?"

Her jaw tightened. No answer.

"Yeah. That's what I thought."

I hit the north stairwell at a dead run. The transmitter crackled in my pocket, Danny's voice cutting in and out like a bad radio station. "—instructor, I'm in the—can't hold—"

Footsteps behind me. Reina, because of course she couldn't let me go alone. Because she was either the best liar I'd ever met or she actually gave a damn about these kids.

I still didn't know which.

"Where?" she asked, keeping pace.

"Maintenance subfloor. North wing."

"That's where the old ward stones are stored."

"I know." My lungs burned. "It's where I'd plant a secondary device if the main one failed."

Her breath hitched. Not much.