CHAPTER 247: DRAMAAAAAA

The dining room, once buzzing with the clinking of silverware and polite conversation, fell into silence again the moment Zane spoke.

"I want to join the academy."

Forks froze halfway to mouths. Even his father’s steady gaze broke for a second. His mother blinked as if she hadn’t heard him right. Lyra’s brows shot up, though her lips curled in the faintest smile, like she had been expecting something dramatic out of him.

His mother finally leaned forward, her voice sharp with disbelief.

"The academy?" She exhaled, pressing her fingers against her temple. "Zane, what exactly are you going to do there? You know you don’t have any..."

Her words faltered. She caught herself. Too late.

Zane pushed his chair back with a screech.

"Any what, Mother?" His voice rang through the long dining hall, more raw than loud. "Say it."

His father shifted uncomfortably, his mouth opening as if to intervene, but Zane didn’t wait. He stood, his shadow stretching unnaturally along the wall with him.

"That’s what I thought." His jaw clenched. "You already decided what I am. You all did."

Without another word, he turned and walked out.

The hall behind him erupted into murmurs, but Zane didn’t care. His feet carried him straight to the familiar door of his room. He was about to slam it shut when a hand wedged in the gap.

"Really?" Lyra’s voice. Calm, but firm.

Zane sighed, shoulders slumping. "What do you want, sis?"

Lyra stepped inside before he could push her out. She closed the door behind her, arms folded across her chest, eyes sharp as blades.

"I know something is up," she said quietly. "You disappear for two years, then suddenly show up looking... different. And now, out of nowhere, you’re demanding to go to the academy?" Her gaze didn’t waver. "Why do you want to go so badly? What’s going on, Zane?"

Zane leaned back against his desk, avoiding her eyes. His shadow shifted uneasily at his feet, stretching and curling like smoke.

He muttered, "You wouldn’t believe me if I told you."

Lyra tilted her head. "Try me."