Langston had been given a corner of her room, a cushion and an old blanket by the vent. He didn't complain. He rarely talked unless he had to—but he *watched*. Everything. Everyone.
Especially Instructor Hollen.
Hollen had always been strange, but since Langston arrived, something had shifted. He lingered too long outside Ryan's door. He asked questions. About Langston's magic. About his clan. About the soul test.
One night, Ryan woke to find Langston growling at the window. Hollen was outside, watching.
They confronted him the next day.
"It's for safety," Hollen said, lips twitching. "Unbonded familiars, especially ancient ones, can be… unpredictable."
Ryan stepped in front of Langston. "Or maybe you're scared because he's not one of yours."
Hollen's eyes darkened. "Careful, girl. Favoritism isn't protection."
Ryan's fists clenched. "He's not a favor. He's family."
Later that night, Langston spoke as they stared at the ceiling.
"You remind me of my sister," he said softly. "She was all heat and fury too."
Ryan smiled through the dark. "She must've been amazing."
"She was."