Elias didn't sleep that night. He lay in his bed staring at the ceiling, replaying the encounter in Jasmine's room over and over in his mind. The voice had been familiar but somehow distorted, like the person was deliberately disguising it. He cycled through everyone he knew at the academy, trying to match the voice to a face, but nothing clicked.
"I know you're there, Elias."
The way they'd said his name, with that mix of warning and invitation. They wanted him to continue investigating. But why?
When morning finally came, Elias dragged himself out of bed feeling like he hadn't rested at all. His reflection in the mirror showed dark circles under his eyes and hair sticking up in all directions.
The dining hall was buzzing with the usual breakfast chatter when he arrived, but something felt different. As he walked toward an empty table, he noticed people watching him. Not obviously, but out of the corners of their eyes. Whispering when he passed.
