Chapter 32: The Fourth Rule
Theron walked through the Imperial Academy, practically feeling the palpable heaviness in the air. It was subtle, but the teachers were just a little bit more on edge, and whether the students picked up on it consciously or not, they reacted in kind.
Stepping into class was more of the same. What Theron noticed immediately, though, was that Sawyer wasn't here.
He didn't really spare this overgrown bully much thought, but he was almost ruthlessly detail-oriented. When he noticed a Thistle missing, it was hard for alarm bells to not ring in his ears.
When he noticed that Sadie also wasn't present, that settled things.
They knew.
This wasn't too much of a surprise. Theron had already accounted for a soul lamp. What was more intriguing was Little Sadie's absence.
This meant that things were much more serious. Even extended parties were getting involved.
'Good.'
Theron took his seat as though he didn't feel like anything was wrong.