Back at the Academy, a sudden, violent shiver ran down Lucien's spine.
I stopped wiping the booth counter. My breath hitched.
It wasn't a physical threat. It was a digital one. A translucent red notification flashed violently across my retina.
[Warning: Bound Entity 'Alicia Valemont' has bypassed perimeter wards. Target has exited the designated Safe Zone.]
My hand gripped the edge of the counter hard enough to splinter the wood.
That foolish girl.
She had actually done it. She had disobeyed a direct, absolute order and walked straight back into the meat grinder.
"Lucien? What's wrong?" Ariana asked, noticing the sudden, murderous tension in my jaw.
"Nothing," I lied through my teeth, forcing my hand to relax. "Just a headache."
