Cassian had barely stepped into the etiquette hall when the shout stopped him cold.
"You—YOU'RE STILL ALIVE?!"
His lips pressed into a thin line.
Veyce. Of course it was him.
Cassian turned his head slowly, meeting Veyce's wide eyes. The other boy looked at him like he was a ghost. Like Cassian's presence in the room was some kind of offense against nature. But it wasn't just shock in his voice; it almost sounded like, How dare he still be alive?
Cassian rolled his eyes and walked to his usual seat, not even bothering to answer. He had too many things running through his mind—his sister, the letter, the way Dareth handed it over like it was no big deal. He didn't have the patience to deal with Veyce's morning drama.
But of course, Veyce wasn't going to drop it that easily.
He left his chair and rushed over to sit beside Cassian. His eyes were wide with disbelief. "Are you real?" he whispered, reaching out and poking Cassian's arm like he might dissolve if touched.
