Chapter 39

• Zara
• The bell rang sharp and shrill above us as Professor Marlin closed his old leather spellbook with a thump that echoed in my chest. Enchanted Histories was over, but my mind barely registered his final words about rune expansions or the rise of Hollow kings. My thoughts were knotted and raw, scraping like stones against each other.
• I turned towards Talia as she packed up her parchment and quill, her dark braids brushing against her collarbone. “Talia,” I said quietly. “Hey. About that night—”