The next morning started peacefully enough. Kai was eating breakfast alone, enjoying the quiet of the nearly-empty dining hall, when a shadow fell across his table.
He looked up to find Seraphina staring down at him with an expression that seemed like she had questions and intended to get answers.
"Where's William?" she asked without preamble.
"He went for a family visit. He'll be back in a few days."
"Family visit..." Seraphina's crimson eyes narrowed. "He didn't mention extending his visit when we talked before he left."
"Maybe he had a change of plans."
"Convenient." She sat down across from Kai without being invited. "You're his roommate. You must know what's actually going on."
"I know he's visiting his family. That's it."
Seraphina studied him with unsettling intensity. Kai had seen that look before, it was the same expression she got right before demolishing someone in sparring.
"You're lying. Or at least not telling me everything."
