The lecture had already started.
Seraphina knew it the moment she reached the building.
The muffled voice of the lecturer drifted through the slightly open windows. The steady hum of a class already in motion vibrated through the floorboards.
Her steps quickened. No…she broke into a run.
Her bag bounced lightly against her hip. Her breath came in uneven gasps as she skidded to a halt before the heavy wooden door.
Pause. Just long enough to steady her trembling hands and shaky breath.
Then, she pushed it open.
Creak.
The entire hall turned.
Of course they did.
Dozens of eyes snapped toward the entrance like a single organism. Seraphina felt the weight of their gaze press down on her shoulders, heavy and suffocating.
At the podium, the lecturer stopped mid-sentence.
She lowered her glasses slightly. Her gaze landed on Seraphina like a hawk spotting prey.
"And you are?" she asked.
Her tone was calm. But it was edged with steel.
