"Your elemental, Nessa..." Her eyes flicker momentarily to where Typhon hovers invisibly to her. "It's strong enough to make a real difference. With you on our side, we could really make change. We could go after full primals who we suspect. Nothing could stop us."

A chill runs down my center and settles like a block of ice in my gut. Nothing could stop them? From what, exactly, I wonder. Murdering everybody who shows even a hint of individuality or fails to completely bow to Empire?

"I'm not joining you. I have no interest in pretending to be judge, jury, and executioner. How many innocent students have you all already killed? How many times have you been wrong?"

"Does it matter? One primal slipping through to graduation could kill thousands of innocents. If we have to kill hundreds to stop that, it's worth the risk. Isn't it?"

"No," I say.

"Do you know why I really wanted to kill you that first day?"

"I'm guessing you're going to tell me?"

"Because you volunteered. The statistics aren't hard to find, Nessa. Over the decades, volunteers are the most likely to be traitors. Why do you think Raith even pays attention to you? He's hoping you're like him. Turncloak. Traitor. Scum."

"So you've wanted me dead since the first day and I'm still alive? Empire may want to look for some better servants if you're the best it has, then."

Her nostrils flare as she eyes me. I can feel the potential of violence in the air. There's a subtle heat gathering behind me, too, and I wonder if her elemental snake is coiling around me, preparing to reveal itself and strike.

"They'll be dead before a hair on your body gets touched," Typhon warns.

"Don't get it confused, Nessa," Serena says. "I still don't trust your intentions. But I saw the elemental you tethered, even if I don't understand why an insignificant weakling like you would be granted such a beast… I'm only making you this offer because of your elemental."

"Fuck you. That's my choice." I give her a sickly sweet smile, and then bump her shoulder as I move to pass her.

"Wait," Serena says.

I pause, but don't turn to look at her.

"Remember something, Nessa. As an ally, you could be incredibly valuable to us. As an enemy? You're dangerous. And you might threaten everything we're trying to do. So choose wisely. We won't wait forever."

I look around and see it's only the two of us in the hall now.

"Typhon, show yourself so she gets the message."

"With pleasure."

Typhon, who is at least twenty feet high from paw to shoulder, stands to his full height, wings spread and teeth bared as he leans into Serena's face. To my eyes, nothing changes, but Serena suddenly flinches back, screams, and tries to push herself away until her back bumps hard into the wall.

Her snake appears, but it looks insignificant next to Typhon.