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I bristle. He’s right, and I kind of hate that he can read me.

I exhale harshly. This is so dumb, but I’ll give listening a try. The sounds of the fights at my back rush over me. Those noises awaken my own defense system. I fidget, straightening my spine. It’s not my fight. Someone grunts in pain. I glance over my shoulder, finding two paranorms grappling on the floor. They’re at least thirty feet away. See? Everything is fine. I turn back, gaze clashing with Carver’s, which is far too curious for my liking.

“What?” I growl.

“You can’t even relax, can you?”

I clench my jaw. “I can relax, it’s you staring at me that’s the problem.”

His answering eyebrow lift says, Yeah, right.

“How is this even tutoring? I can meditate on my own. You’re not teaching me any useful skills.” The sound of footsteps approaching from across the floor sends my alarm systems blaring. The hairs on the nape of my neck rise. My pulse jackhammers. I curl my fingers to fists on instinct and struggle with the urge to spin around and inspect whoever is coming toward us.

Carver studies me in a way that cuts to the bone. “Look at you, ready to run, and you don’t even know what’s coming.”

Is there a hint of pity in his tone? “Maybe if you told me, I’d relax.”

His eyes flick up right as a strong energy batters against my back. It takes every ounce of my control to keep from turning or putting more space between myself and whoever⁠—

“Drake,” Carver says. “You know Raina, right?”

“Him?” I say before I can stop myself, head swiveling to take in the mage.

He’s wearing the same style of fatigues I’ve seen him in ever since I had the misery of meeting him. The pure loathing in his emerald stare sends a shiver down my spine. “What’s the meaning of this?” he demands, wrenching his gaze away from me to scowl at Carver.

Not that I want to be on the Foundation’s side, but I have a few questions of my own for my tutor. “Yeah, Coach. What’s the meaning of this?”

My tutor sends me a warning look at the nickname. “Sit down,” he tells Drake. The command isn’t for me, but I still feel the brush of his mindcraft. If I weren’t already sitting, I probably would drop to my knees, though much to my surprise, Drake doesn’t fall all over himself to do as he’s told.

Carver blinks. “Sit.” This time, the word cracks through the pit.

The magic command thrums through my veins. My throat tightens under the pressure. I breathe through the show of power.

{Take it!} the voice in my head shouts. I fucking am! I shout back, thankful it isn’t Carver I’m speaking to but the more than possible imaginary friend in my head. I always warred between curiosity and annoyance at the voice. Now that I’ve had others invade my mind, it’s nice to have one that’s on my side. Even if its advice isn’t all that great.

The only indication that Drake is straining against Carver’s command is a ripple of annoyance crossing his face.

“Do you have mindcraft?”

“No,” Drake says through gritted teeth.

“How can he resist you, then?” I ask Carver, frowning. “When you commanded me, it was impossible to resist.”

“Drake,” he says, holding the mage’s venomous stare, “has affinities that have required him to perfect control over his mind. He can shield against mindcraft better than any mage I’ve ever met. Even the chancellor himself.”

Chancellor Tweed is one of the most powerful mages in our society. If Drake can protect his mind better than him, then he must be a powerhouse. The ruling council is probably courting him already. They love to collect powerful Foundations.

The mage crosses his arms, unimpressed by the compliment. “Are we done here?”

“The chancellor has assigned you to help with Raina’s training,” Carver says, gesturing to me.

“No one thought to ask me if I actually wanted to help?” Drake practically snarls.

“No.” Carver tips his head, lips kicking up, though it’s not a kind smile. These two may be in a vinculum, but it’s clear they don’t get along, and if the way they eviscerate each other with their eyes is any indication, there’s exactly no cooperation between the two of them.

Maybe a tether would fix that. “Should I call Melody to break up the fight?”

Both of them ignore me. What else is new?