"I would still be able to sense you through doors and communicate with you. I am Typhon. Ancient, immensely powerful, and blessed with the form of a water dragon. I could simply break the door."

With a sigh, I try not to focus on his continued rambling in my mind as I head for the fire tower. I've never gone there before, but I figure it's where I'll find Raith.

There are no strict rules about entering the towers of other affinities. In fact, I know plenty of students sleep around between affinities, even if the fires and earths are slightly more taboo partners for waters and airs. For some, that seems to be half the fun.

Even if there's no rule against it, I find myself hesitating at the entrance of the fire tower. I tell myself I'm being silly, then push through the wide double doors at the base of the structure. Considering the outside of the fire tower is bathed in constant, swirling flames and smoke, I assumed it would be unbearably hot inside. Instead, it's only pleasant and warm. The walls glow a soft yellow-red, providing plenty of light as I climb a spiraling staircase that's similar to the one in the water tower.

I reach the first landing, which would have been where the offerings were housed if the layout was the same as the water tower. I pass it, heading higher up the tower toward where the aspirant rooms should be.

I find a long hallway lined with the same glowing yellow-red bricks. There's a pair of girls with orange eyes and glowing fire marks a little ways down the hall. Both wear uniforms marking them as first-years, which seems like a good thing. The upper years often act like we don't exist, so I doubt any of them would be able to tell me where to find Raith.

"Um, hi," I say, stopping a few steps away from the girls.

Their eyes fall immediately to my affinity mark, then lift to my eyes. I see recognition there.

"You're Nessa," one says. "The one who nearly got eaten by a rogue elemental during your trial."

"And then she tethered a flying fish on Confluence Day," the other adds with a cruel smile. "To think, people thought you surviving that elemental during the trial meant you were bound for big things."

Typhon prowls into my view, teeth bared as his long, serpentine body coils around the girls, wings slowly unfolding.

"You told me to stop asking if I could eat people. So I shall not ask."

"Telling me you're not asking is pretty similar to asking, Typhon."

"Noted."

"I was wondering if either of you know where I could find Raith."

They share a knowing look. One folds her arms and eyes me up and down again. This time, it's more of a feminine appraisal and has nothing to do with my affinity. "So the rumors about you two are true?"