章 38: Chapter 38

Kaden laid on his bed in the academy dorm, staring at the ceiling. He had returned to the academy after reaching the shelter, but the weight of the day still hung heavy on him. The dorm was eerily quiet; Jace was not in the room, and Kaden had no idea where he was. He hadn't seen either Jace or Lira since returning to the school. He had assumed they'd made it back, but he didn't encounter them on his way to the dorm, and now, with Jace's absence, unease settled over him. Still, he wasn't going to look for him—not yet, at least. He had left the door unlocked in case Jace returned while he was asleep.

Kaden's body ached. Hours of running had left his legs sore and numb. All he wanted was to sleep, to escape the turmoil in his mind and the exhaustion in his muscles. But no matter how much he craved rest, his thoughts refused to settle. Mr. Duke. The man's name lingered in his mind like a venomous snake coiled around his thoughts.