Irene stepped into the holding area with her spine straight and her hands loose at her sides, refusing to reach for her bandaged neck despite the persistent burn beneath the cloth.
The space around her had settled into tense efficiency.
Class S guards flanked the perimeter with weapons drawn, temporary runes glowed faintly around the prisoners' wrists, and support students moved through the clearing with water and supplies.
Soot still stained several uniforms.
Exhaustion lined those faces that should have looked victorious.
She scanned the area with deliberate calmness, taking in details the way her father had taught her.
The mission had achieved its objective.
Darius sat restrained against a tree with his injured leg treated enough to stop bleeding but not enough to restore mobility.
Cole knelt nearby under guard, bruised and furious, his hands bound and his attention fixed on the ground.
Two hostages secured.
Class B's leader removed.
