"This human has power," Typhon warns as we reach the ornate double doors leading to the Rector's chambers. "I sensed it during the ceremony. I sense it now, even through these walls. Be on your guard, angry human."

"He's not a primal, though."

"And yet I sense his power.”

Wonderful. Even more reason to be scared shitless.

I close my eyes with my handle on the door to his office, say a silent prayer to whatever gods might be listening.

I lift my hand to knock, but the doors swing open before my knuckles make contact.

"Miss Thorne," Rector Voss says, standing in the doorway with a pleasant smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Right on time. Please, come in."

I step into his office, immediately struck by how different it is from what I'd expected. No oppressive darkness, no instruments of torture, no intimidating displays of power. Instead, the circular room is filled with warm light from dozens of candles. Bookshelves line the walls, interspersed with maps of Empire and curious artifacts displayed in glass cases. A massive desk of polished wood dominates the center, its surface neat and organized.

Voss himself looks just as he did during the tethering ceremony—tall, imposing, yet somehow approachable in his perfectly tailored black robes. His hair is still that striking black with distinctive silver streaks framing his face, and his eyes—a light, nearly colorless gray—study me with unsettling intensity.

"Please, sit," he says, gesturing to a chair across from his desk.

I take the admittedly comfortable chair, lowering myself slowly in case there are hidden spikes or spears in the cushions.

There aren't.

His lips flick to the side with the faintest smile. "You're right to be cautious. Caution is good here. And I know your survival as an offering depended on it. But I assure you, you're safe here."

The simple words feel surprisingly true to me. It helps to know Typhon is right beside me—to know he would do anything to protect me. "Okay," I say.

"Good," Voss threads his fingers together, leaning toward me on the desk. "Now… I think the best way to handle this is to come out and say it. You're unbound—" he raises a hand, eyes calm and unthreatening. "No need to run. No need to panic. I meant it when I said you're safe here. I only intend to help you."

My mouth has gone dry and my heartbeat thunders in my ears like a thousand tiny needles pricking at my consciousness. My fingertips dig into the armrests of the chair so hard I hear the leather creak.

"For one who knows the signs, it's quite obvious, Nessa. Nobody betrayed you. Nobody shared your secret with me, assuming some knew."

I blink. "Signs?" it's the only word I manage as my words crystallize into frost on my tongue.

"If he tries anything, I will end him," Typhon promises.

"People and elementals aren't so different, you know…"