Ambrose raises a finger. "Uh, on my behalf, please tell Malakai I'm scared shitless and don't want to die. I just want to survive to Confluence Day, tether a badass elemental, and become a primal. We're not all as crazy as Nessa."

"Fuck Malakai," Mireen agrees, planting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing. "But… don't directly tell him I said that. Just… that's how I feel. Privately."

Beck's face splits into a grin. "I like it. And I'm not with that asshole. I was friends with Tucker and Volsa."

His expression darkens as he continues. "I'm pretty sure they shoved Tucker off the cliffs the second week here. He liked to go out there to clear his head, and he turned up dead at the bottom of the rocks."

Beck's voice drops lower. "And Malakai just plain murdered Volsa in the sparring ring last week. Accidentally edged his training weapon with razor-sharp water and practically cut her in two." By the time he's finished talking, the amusement is completely gone from his face, replaced by a haunted look I recognize too well. His thick jaw ticks in tune with his anger. "So, yeah. Fuck him."

The words hang between us, heavy with the shared knowledge that surviving in Confluence isn't just about mastering our affinities—it's trying not to join those whose names are now whispered about in past tense.

"We should head to the dining hall," Mireen says, her voice dropping as she notices something over my shoulder. "Before we miss the good food."

The sudden tension in her posture makes my skin prickle.

Beck, who seems oblivious, smiles wide. “I think we’re going to get along really well, Mireen. Getting to the dining room first is…” he trails off as he sees the look on my face.

Malakai has appeared at the end of the corridor, his perfect posture and immaculate uniform making him look like a recruitment poster for Confluence. His blue eyes—already darker than most water affinities—seem to absorb light rather than reflect it. Four of his followers flank him, spreading out to block the hallway.

"Nessa Thorne," he says, voice deep and ominous.

I keep my face carefully blank. "Is there something you needed, Malakai?"

"Hm. I don't know. Maybe you can tell me. From where I'm standing, it looks a hell of a lot like you're trying to collect strays." His gaze slides to Beck, who stiffens beside me. "People might start thinking you're trying to form your own little coalition."

My pulse accelerates, but I force my breathing to remain steady. "People can think whatever they want."

"Your channeling is... interesting, Thorne," Malakai says, smiling in a way that doesn't reach his dark eyes. "Wouldn't you agree, Serena?"