William ran past Marcus, sprinting toward his room. He could hear his friend’s heavy steps behind him, calling his name in alarm, but he didn’t stop. Soon his voice disappeared in the noise of the people crowding the corridors, looking after them with curious eyes. He knew that a few seconds would make no difference, but Annabel’s words echoed in his head like an ominous curse, making his feet move on their own.
He burst into his room, checking his wards gingerly. Everything was exactly as he left it, and there was no sign of anyone trying to push through them. William rushed toward the bed, crouching and feeling the space underneath in search of the box. By the time his fingers found it, Marcus was walking through the door, a deep frown distorting his features.
“Are you for real?” he a
