[Dawnspire Wing—Lavinia's Office—Late Afternoon—Lavinia's POV]
The office was quiet, almost painfully so, the kind of quiet that makes every creak of the floorboards sound like a drum announcing one's arrival. I glanced at Sera, standing by the door with that infuriatingly confident look that said, I have a plan, and it's brilliant—whether you survive it or not.
"Alright, Sera," I whispered, lowering my voice to the most conspiratorial murmur I could manage, "show me this way you've been hiding in that brain of yours. I expect cunning, precision… and minimal screaming."
She tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief. "Screaming is optional. Strategy, however…" She tapped her temple dramatically. "...is mandatory."
I leaned back in my chair, studying her. "And this strategy of yours… it involves sneaking past Papa, Osric, and probably Ravick's mysterious, ever-watchful stare?"
