Chapter 23 · Private Review

"You don't get to drag me into a locked room and call it a review." Tess planted both hands against the door. The iron latch clicked behind her anyway.

Selene stood between Tess and the only exit, one hand resting on the hilt of her short spellblade. The other held a thin silver folder. Her face gave away nothing, which was getting seriously annoying.

"I didn't drag you," Selene said. "I touched your shoulder. You walked."

"Because you threatened to report me."

"That isn't dragging. That's motivation."

Tess turned from the door. "You burned my hand in front of half the academy. Then you stared at the mark like I was a bomb. Now we're alone in a room with no windows. Tell me how this gets better."

"It doesn't."

That answer landed harder than it should have.

The room was small enough that Tess could reach Selene in three steps. Small enough that Selene could reach her in one. The walls were lined with dull copper strips, all of them carved with warding runes.