The northern grounds of the academy were quiet at night, save for the soft rustle of leaves stirred by the wind.
Professor Darenn made his usual rounds, his senses stretched outward, attuned to the vibrations of the earth. Every step, every shift of weight, he felt as though the ground itself whispered to him.
Then…
"Pssst. Pssst!"
Darenn froze mid-step, his sharp eyes narrowing. Someone was calling him.
He stood still, pretending not to notice, letting the earth guide him. The soil trembled faintly, like ripples on water, betraying the weight of a body nearby. Though they were cloaked in magic, invisibility did not mask the way their boots pressed against the ground.
With a swift motion, Darenn pivoted and lunged. His arm hooked around a waist, momentum carrying them both down. The figure hit the ground with a surprised yelp.
A flash of steel glinted in the moonlight. A knife pressed to his throat.
"Relax, it's me," a familiar voice hissed. "Chill, Darenn."
