The bell tolled six times. Its echo trembled through the academy.
I walked into the tribunal chamber—arched ceilings, enchanted torches flickering blue. Professors sat on elevated seats, robes heavy with insignias. At the center, a stone circle engraved with flame-glyphs pulsed faintly underfoot.
I stepped into the circle. Cold air wrapped around me.
"Elira Winterose," began Professor Voss, head of magical ethics. "You are summoned in connection with Case 1098-AR. Your presence was recorded at the sealed vault moments before the magical disruption."
I said nothing. Let them ask first.
Another voice—Professor Kael, always too fond of procedure. "The glyph activated without official sanction. Your proximity was unusual."
"It responded to me," I said. "Unprovoked."
Whispers.
"What did it show you?" someone demanded.
I hesitated. "Images. Fire. Trial. Silence."
More whispers.
"The glyph was tampered with," a clear, calm voice cut through the murmurs.
I turned slightly. Serena Halden stood at the side benches—not on the tribunal platform, but in the section reserved for verified witnesses. She wasn't a member of the court, but she had been summoned to offer her findings.
She stood straight, voice unwavering. "It was altered to trigger a targeted echo."
Professor Voss narrowed his eyes. "And you confirmed this how?"
"Because it drew blood," I said. "Not metaphorically. It triggered an old suppression rune—one used in Flameheart investigations."
They went quiet.
Then, from behind the tribunal bench, a figure stepped forward. Not a professor.
Lady Delaria.
"How quaint," she said. "We dig up relics, and ghosts rise to defend them."
I met her gaze. "Some ghosts burn brighter the second time."
In the flicker of torchlight, I caught sight of another figure in the crowd.
My younger sister.
She wasn't seated with the royal envoys or the students. She watched from the edge—expression unreadable, eyes fixed on me. Her presence stung more than I expected.
She was always the one they praised. The promising one. The obedient one.
Her eyes held a distance I recognized too well.
I looked away first.