Chapter 16

• The next morning, the common room of Alpha Row was as somber as usual, weighed down by unspoken tension. Rhea had a mug of tea in front of her, the light bruise on her throat a bitter reminder of the previous day's encounter with Blaze. She raised her head as Ash Ryder approached her, his typical brooding expression deepened by a stern set to his jaw.
• "Rhea." His tone was low, bereft of its typical acid edge.
• "Ash." She answered warily. She had not forgotten their talk, but Blaze's outburst had thrown her.