By the time we're dismissed, my nerves are raw, stretched thin by the constant vigilance. The brief victory against Davrin feels hollow now, overwhelmed by the knowledge that I've only made my situation more precarious. Malakai will see our survival as a personal insult. If we weren’t already at the top of his hit list, we will be now.

"Weapons away, first-year waters," Blackstone calls. "And for those who haven't yet heard, the water trial begins at dawn two days from now. Report to the eastern shore of Mirror Lake. Wear something suitable for swimming. No weapons will be necessary."

A chorus of nervous whispers erupts around us. Mirror Lake is the vast body of water at the edge of campus, its depths rumored to be bottomless in places. What kind of trial awaits us there?

I see other combat instructors relaying similar messages to the other affinities. The airs burst into nervous whispers. The fires look to Raith, who only nods and seems to calm them. The earths take the news with stoic acceptance.

"Mirror Lake?" Beck joins us as we exit the room, his sandy hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. "That can't be good."

"Why not?" I ask, though I'm already certain I won't like the answer.

"Tucker talked about it once before they—" Beck says, lowering his voice. "Apparently, there's some kind of beast that lives in it. He said students get eaten every year by the thing. Swallowed whole."

"If the monster eats me, I hope I give it indigestion. I’ve been told I’m very spicy," Mireen says with a too-bright smile that earns a confused stare from Beck. I'm starting to get used to her macabre sense of humor—maybe to even appreciate the touch of lightness it brings in otherwise dark moments.

I can see why people who are surrounded by death would make a habit of it.

Ambrose appears on my other side, still sweaty from exertion.

"Tell Beck he's full of it, please," I say to Ambrose. “He says there’s a monster in the lake that eats students. Swallows them whole.”

"She's right, Beck," Ambrose says. "It doesn't swallow them whole. It drags them to its lair in the deepest section of the lake. At least that’s what I heard."

"Thank you both for that incredibly comforting information," I mutter. My insides go tight at the thought of the lake. At the question of what could be waiting in its depths. The similarity to my recurring nightmare isn’t lost on me, either, but I try my best not to think on it.

We part ways to clean up before classes, but as I turn toward the water tower, a hand grips my arm, pulling me into the shadow of a stone archway. I whirl, ready to fight, only to find myself face to face with Raith.