"Absolutely not." His father's voice turns glacial. "The Crucible proceeds as planned. The sponsors have paid, the observers will arrive soon, and you will perform as expected. I've already arranged to have your performance observed more closely to ensure you will be on the right track after you graduate your fifth year. This is critical, Bastian. Not just for you, but for me as well. You will disgrace me if you fail to⁠—"

"People will die." Bastian's voice rises slightly. "Far more than usual. Malakai has almost all the earth affinities allied to him. He's got half the waters or more and as many airs. And Raith Hollow has almost the entire first-year class of fire affinities following him like he's some kind of commander. It's not going to be a chaotic series of skirmishes, father. It's going to be a full-out war. One side against the other. It'll be a bloodbath."

"Then ensure you're not among the casualties." His father's tone allows for no argument. "Alliances form and break every year. This is no different. And if it is a disaster, the Council will simply use it as an opportunity to remove Rector Voss ahead of schedule."

"Malakai isn't just looking to win. He's hunting. And whatever he's after⁠—"

"Enough." His father cuts him off. “Malakai’s actions serve a purpose, just as the siphon does. War is never comfortable, son. It’s never pretty. It’s about making the best of the situations you’re given, and we can use this. We can use all of it.”

“What do you mean his actions serve a purpose? Surely the⁠—”

Their voices fade as they move deeper into the forest, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. Raith and I remain frozen in our hiding place, his hand still wrapped around mine.

"That was..." I struggle to find words.

"Dangerous," Raith finishes for me, his expression grim. "I don't think he would have let us live if he knew we overheard."

"Why would they want Voss removed?"

"Not sure. But I wouldn't repeat that to anyone if you value your life. He admitted to knowing a siphon is here and is planning to let it continue killing. Same with Malakai. Whatever he wants, it’s not in our best fucking interest. We can be sure of that much."

We rise slowly from our hiding place, both of us scanning the surrounding forest for any sign of Bastian or his father.

"Do you think Malakai or Serena could be the siphon?" I ask suddenly.

"I'm not sure. It's why I'm watching everyone."

"Bastian seemed genuinely concerned," I say, still processing what we've heard. "I'm so used to seeing him calm, collected, and in control."

"People wear many faces here." Raith's expression darkens. "Trust none of them."

"I trust you..." the words slip out of me like an admission, even though it’s not the first time I’ve told him.