{Elira}
~**^**~
The woman's sharp eyes flicked toward me, assessing. For a moment I feared she hadn't heard, but then her expression softened slightly.
"You must be Shaw."
I nodded.
"Two minutes ago," she said briskly, brushing her hands on her apron. "The Professor himself called and said you are no longer assigned to kitchen duty."
Relief loosened the knot in my chest. "Thank you for confirming," I murmured.
I hesitated, then added, "But… my friends are still here, helping. We are to leave together"
The woman tilted her head, studying me for a beat before her lips twitched with the faintest ghost of a smile.
"Fine. Stay here." She waved toward a stool against the wall. "I will call them out."
I murmured my thanks and stepped aside, perching on the stool. My backpack rested against my knees as I let out a long unguarded breath.
