Unpacking was easy. Simple. Something to keep my hands busy while I let myself think about what my next move was. What it could be. The truth was, we still had time. For now at least, there was time. Time to learn, time to train, time to practice.

I set the lump of serpentine on the shelf next to the tourmaline, lazurite, and malachite I'd brought from home.

The room was a little more me, I supposed. I stepped back from the shelf and took a moment to look at it. A single non-magic textbook surrounded by crystals and tumbled rocks.

Almost like home.

I rubbed my left wrist, trying to ignore the dull but cold pain. My magic kept the worst of the pain at bay for right now. I just hoped it would stay that way during the meeting I had to go to later.

Whenever Vivian came by.

The gloves I was wearing were dark grey with large red visible stitching. Comfortable and warm and completely covered my wrists.

It didn't change anything, just covered up the scars. Kept the questions and stares at bay. It wasn't much, but anything to help me feel a little bit better about this situation.

Okay Serafina. You could do this. You've been in meetings with all of these people before. You could do this. Just had to get through this. Tomorrow the others would be back and you could figure out what you were going to do about Death's Echo.

I wasn't alone, and I didn't have to make choices alone.

If anything, it would be incredibly irresponsible of me to do anything without them. They were just as involved in all of this as I was.

For now, I needed focus on what was right in front of me. For my own sanity, if nothing else.

Maybe the casual clothing would be a good indicator that this wouldn't be so bad. A less formal meeting meant I didn't have to take it that seriously, right? And maybe I'd get lucky and the other Representatives would be a little more chill.

I took a breath and stepped out onto the balcony, overlooking the main room of Dragon Tower. Empty and quiet. For now.

There was a knock at the door followed by the shifting creak of the round door opening.

I stayed put while Vivian Hearth came into view. "Time to go?" I asked her.

"Not yet, we have a few minutes. How have you been?" She asked.

"I've been okay. Mom's got me working on these magic training exercises."

She nodded, "She mentioned that to me. When did you grow an interest in healing spells?"

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"I figured with my…complications it might be better for me to know how to take care of myself."

I could see the curiosity there, but she must have understood at least a little. "Has she spoken to you of learning our Coven's signature spells?"

"A little. I told her that I wanted to wait until I was little more confident in not accidentally blowing myself up." It was mostly the truth. The risk was just high enough that Vivian seemed to believe it. As long as she didn't ask where the idea for healing came from I didn't have to outright lie to her.

"Lucinda never had to be very cautious, you however…"

"Yeah."

"They'll come in time, I'm sure."

"I'll learn them someday. I'm just taking things at my pace." A statement that was completely true. I still doubted if that pace was fast enough with everything that was going on.

"You have all the time in the world for these things. Jarec's still learning too and he's had far more years to try."

That didn't make me feel better. We still had time, sure. But how much time? Would it be enough? Would any amount of time be enough?

It would have to be. I had to play the hand I was dealt, no matter how many cards I was missing.

Saying any of that wouldn't help though. I stayed silent as I stepped down the staircase. My fingers trailing on the handrail held up by little dragons made of wood.

There was no way to tell her that I didn't have as much time as she thought. Not without Mom finding out. I didn't know how often they called each other, but it was a thing.

And it seemed extremely unlikely she could do anything about the danger in the walls of the school. Dragon Tower was the one place where we were all safe.

If I got pulled out of the school, it could just end up with my friends falling straight into whatever trap was here.

"I know it's going to take time and more work. I'm okay with that," I told her as I settled onto the landing of the stairs. Behind her was the still lit fireplace. The fire there was never particularly big, just a simple thing equal to about a single log. Like those looping videos with soft instrumental music.

Not there were any logs. Magical fire and all.

"You seem…out of it. Long journey?"

"I'm okay. A little bit sleepy, yeah. But I'll be fine for this whole meeting thing. How are you?" I asked. Mostly to deflect. I doubted there was any change from when I'd seen her last. She didn't look any different.

"I'm fine. All the staff got here yesterday. The beginning of the second semester is easier than the start of the year."

I supposed that made sense. "I assume this meeting is just about start of the semester logistics?"

"Basically. The complicated parts are mostly over. You'll be in charge of handing out schedules to the others here. The larger Towers have a lot more work to do on that front."

I shrugged, it wasn't my fault Dragon Tower was so tiny. If anything, it was Malcarg's. Not that Vivian knew Malcarg was here. That was something we might want to tell her though.

I'd have to talk to Jarec about it when he got here tomorrow.

"We should probably start heading over there," I told Vivian. I needed to distract myself from all the thoughts of the conversations I would need to have tomorrow with the others.

We needed a new plan to deal with Death's Echo.

I couldn't deny the danger that was in the school with us anymore. And the very real truth that it could be almost anyone. There were about two hundred staff here and the only one in the clear was Vivian. Luckily from what she'd told me only three of those possible suspects could access Dragon Tower.

Wait. That was certainly an idea. I glanced briefly at the spot down the hallway where we'd once been shown an Echo of Jantres. A room that had appeared and disappeared just as quickly.

The security at the Gallery Hall of Bones hadn't been enough to keep thieves away. But almost no one could get into Dragon Tower. And M would understand, wouldn't he? That it might be better if Death's Echo disappeared?

I couldn't ask him with Vivian right here though. It would have to be later, when it was closer to bedtime.

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