The Veyl Academy dining hall was mostly empty at this hour, lights dimmed and night-shift healers passing by with quiet footsteps. A separate long table was prepared for the newly-recognized Veinwalkers, dishes still steaming.
Khael walked slowly, hand lightly gripping Ceyla's arm for support. Azael's warm presence flickered in his chest, like a small ember refusing to sleep.
Ceyla guided him to a seat.
"Careful. Sit. Don't explode."
"I'm not going to explode."
"Not with that attitude."
Juno was already seated, pouring tea into cups like the dependable older brother of the group. Matthew and his twin Echo Spirits sat across from him Harmonae's ribbons occasionally tapping a spoon or rearranging plates whenever Matthew wasn't looking.
Andromeda barged in last, dragging his spirit dog, JunJun.
"MOVE make way for the chosen one!"
He held JunJun up like a trophy.
JunJun dangled in the air, face blank.
Matthew snorted.
"He looks like he regrets being born."
