Norah taps her bottom lip with her index finger. “The stolen climbing equipment will be a problem for Niklas. I have it on good authority that Talon borrowed a bird from the menagerie. And, Tessa and Bram, you haven’t been helping Saskia learn even more magic she isn’t bound to, have you? Because that would be unforgivable in the eyes of the council.”

It’s as if the air has been sucked from the room. We’re all robbed of speech. She’s right. Every single one of us has committed offenses that would result in our expulsion if the Grand Council knew. Or worse.

“So here’s what’s going to happen,” Norah says, echoing my earlier statement. Her voice has taken on the sharp edge of broken glass. “The six of you are going to keep your mouths shut, keep your heads down, and complete your final bone game. If you’re successful, you’ll finish your apprenticeships in a few weeks, leave Ivory Hall, and get on with your lives. But if you decide to start spreading rumors, please understand, I will destroy you. Are we clear?”

Our stunned silence is all the answer she needs.

“Good. Now kindly leave. My tea is getting cold.”

I turn to the others. “Go. I’ll be right there.” Reluctantly, they shuffle out, but I hang back. Norah’s betrayal stings like acid in a fresh wound. I want answers.

“Why?” I ask softly. “Why would you help him?”

Norah’s expression gentles, but I can’t tell if it’s false or genuine. “I’m no fan of Latham, but in this case, our interests happen to align. I’m in a unique position to see how Kastelia hamstrings some of our best and brightest talents by limiting their potential. I’ve tried for years to get the binding lifted, but the Grand Council won’t listen to reason.”

“But Latham is evil. You’re really willing to sacrifice my life so he can get his way?”

She gives me an apologetic frown. “Even evil people are right sometimes. And leadership is all about difficult choices.”

Master Kyra said something similar not too long ago, but I don’t think this is what she had in mind.

“Is our final challenge even real? Or is it just another way for Latham to torture me?”

“Can’t it be both?” she asks. Our eyes lock for a beat, and then she sighs. “Of course it’s real. And maybe if you succeed, we can both get what we want.”

I don’t have the courage to ask if both means me and Norah or Norah and Latham. But even if I did, I’m not sure she’d tell me the truth. Either way, Latham’s trap is well laid.

And if I want to find him, I have no choice but to walk into it.