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hyperventilating.
    The anomaly cocked his borrowed head at me, his eyes taking in the scarf around my neck, his gaze narrowing on it. Everything in me said that if I had Olivia's scarf in hand, instead of stuffed in my back pocket, it would already have been taken from me.
    His expression shifted to something falsely—so falsely—kind. “The lovely young mage who was standing in front of Vincent Godfrey and the Origin Dome. So pleased to meet you, dear.” His voice was the one I had heard coming from Kaine—the one talking about the tests they would run.
    A shiver wracked me.
    His head popped onto the Department figure to my left, then behind me, then to my right, flipping around me, cataloging all my points and angles, and where he could best place his dissection scalpel.
    “Such a lovely surprise.” His distant expression was at odds with the way his image flitted between hosts.
    Whatever terror Kaine had induced in the crowd, this man tripled. It was tangible in the Community Magic throbbing at the edge of my numb state.
    Marsgrove's lips were tight as he directed his remarks to the man's head as it settled back into a single position. “Praetorian Kaine has overstepped his bounds, Prestige Stavros. By edict of the Council, educational institutions are exempt from any oversight by the Department. He has no right and no authority to test or question any students.”
    “Prestige Stavros.” Kaine gave a half bow—and there was no doubt in my mind that he was not one to follow such forms of conduct with anyone else. “Worry over the safety of the public and the underage mages here made me desirous of neutering any and all threats. Perhaps my concern over our safety was overly fervent.”
    My bracelet encyclopedia took that moment to unnecessarily inform me that “Prestige” was a title given to the head of large businesses or divisions.
    I had a feeling the man in front of me would far prefer the Roman title of Emperor to go with his legion and praetorians.
    “Praetorian Kaine questioned and tested students—waiting until they were penned in,” Marsgrove replied. He seemed to be addressing this to the other officials rather than to Stavros. “I want charges filed.”
    “Praetorian Kaine, how aggressive of you,” Stavros murmured.
    “My apologies, Prestige Stavros,” Kaine replied, not looking the least bit chastised, or concerned.
    “Aggressive,” Stavros said, in an indifferent tone of voice. “However, I think all concerned can see that you were only distressed for the well-being of our layer.”
    Whereas Kaine's face was decorated by smirking evil intentions, Stavros was an evil so polished that all emotion slipped right off him.
    Marsgrove frowned. “I think that is to be decided—”
    “This girl has valuable information on today's events, Prestige Stavros,” Kaine smoothly interrupted. The expression on his face increased my worry. He still held an ace.
    My heart thumped erratically.
    “And she will be questioned under oath according to the rules of this campus,” Marsgrove said furiously.
    “If she were a student , perhaps. Alas, she has been expelled, and therefore falls under our jurisdiction,” Kaine said, the side of his lips lifting. “This, I believe, also negates many of those pesky charges you were considering filing.”
    I clutched my bag, still slung around my frame with Justice Toad dead inside, fears becoming reality. I wasn't a student. I was no longer a student.
    “Well that does change matters,” Stavros said, waving a hand. “Take her. We will join you soon.”
    The man next to me yanked me forward.
    I thrust my heels out. Voices were yelling behind me and people angrily surged forward. Julian Dare grabbed Alexander's wrist, fiercely whispering something as he stopped him from advancing.
    “Calm yourselves,” Stavros said to the surging crowd, one eyebrow cocked, as if surprised by the outrage. Every expression was a calculated act. “Expelled students are under the