An Unexpected Confession and the Eve of Revelation

The breathing exercises with Professor Astrid had left me calmer than I'd felt in days, but that tranquility began to fade as Rhys, Silas, and I made our way to meet Lyra. The note she'd slipped me during dinner burned in my pocket. What was so important that she couldn't say it out loud?

"You okay?" Rhys asked, his fingers brushing against mine as we walked. "You've gone quiet."

"Just processing," I replied, offering him a small smile. "Professor Astrid gave me a lot to think about."

Silas nodded. "She's different from the others. Actually seems to want to help rather than contain."

"For once," I muttered.

We reached the commons building where Lyra was waiting. She bounced on her toes when she spotted us, her usual energetic self, but I noticed the tightness around her eyes.

"There you are!" she called, waving frantically. "How was the session?"

"Better than expected," I said. "Professor Astrid actually made sense."