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“Don’t worry about rank,” the professor says. “You’ll get that spot back.”

“I never wanted it in the first place,” I say with a shake of my head. “Being number one didn’t make sense, anyway.”

Silverstone’s eyebrows lift. “The ranks are determined by the enrollment ceremony, and your power registered higher than any other student in your year.”

“How is that possible, when I can’t even use my affinities?” I hesitate and glance at her. I hadn’t shared that bit of information, but it seems to come as no surprise.

“Carver and I talked,” Silverstone explains with a shrug. “He’s determined to help you figure it out.”

I’m not sure what to think about my tutor talking about me with other teachers, but since it’s Silverstone, I don’t mind that much. I only hope she doesn’t think I’m pathetic.

Scratching my arm, I glance around the empty gym again. Drake has long since left—thank fuck—and Eli is still waiting outside for me. “Right, well, thanks for staying. You didn’t have to.” I scoop up my bag and slip the strap over my shoulder. “See you next time.”

“Actually,” she says, falling into stride with me, hands clasped behind her back, “Chancellor Tweed wants to see us both in his office.”

My hackles rise. “Why? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

She tips her head and looks at me. “No one accused you of anything.”

I press my lips together.

After a moment, she takes pity on me. “My best guess is the chancellor isn’t happy with your progress. Your initial scores showed so much promise.”

“And now I’m wasting space?” The question is a bitter pill. I knew this day would come.

Silverstone nods at Eli as we exit the gym. My friend hesitates, glancing at me for help. I’ll be fine, I mouth at him. Eli dips his head in acknowledgement and sets off in the opposite direction.

Silverstone continues once he’s out of sight. “I don’t think you’re a waste of space, Raina. I think you need someone to tell you they believe in you.”

We head across the quad toward the administrative buildings positioned at the front of the campus layout.

“Your belief is misplaced.”

“Oh, I didn’t say I believed in you,” she says, looking forward. “I simply said it would be good if someone told you that they do. That you have more potential than you realize, if only you would trust yourself. I think that if this someone were to also tell you that hating your tutor is only hurting your training, you probably wouldn’t listen, anyway.”

“Someone sure has a lot to say,” I grumble.

Silverstone nods at some people as we walk. “I knew a student like you once. She registered with power nearly as strong as yours. She was stubborn like you too.”

I want to bristle, but she’s not insulting me . . . well, not exactly. “Where is she now?”

“Dead.”

“Is this a pep talk?”

“What better to motivate you than death?”

“Death has been around me ever since I came here.”

“Yes, and it’s not going anywhere.” Silverstone pauses, placing a gentle hand on my forearm. She glances side to side. “Whatever the chancellor says, agree to it. Understood?”

My eyebrows pinch together. “I can’t agree to anything without knowing what it is I’m agreeing to.”

Silverstone sighs. “Now isn’t the time to be stubborn. Play the part, Raina, lest you find yourself turned to ash and—” She catches herself, expression shifting. “The chancellor has the power to decide your fate while you’re attending Diremount. He can punish you to the point where you’ll long for death. Do you want that?”

“No?”

“Say it with more conviction,” she urges, squeezing my arm.