After the handsome, middle-aged Fae told them to go in, he turned and walked back into the hall, leaving the heavy double doors open behind him. Aiden's chest tightened, but he forced himself to step forward first, his shoes echoing softly against the polished floor. Zane followed behind him lazily, then Carl, who moved a little too stiffly as though bracing himself for something unpleasant, and finally Ryker, whose expression remained unreadable.
As soon as Aiden crossed the threshold, his eyes widened slightly. The disciplinary hall was even more imposing than he had imagined. At the center of the room was a massive round table, so large it dominated the space. The table was surrounded by high-backed chairs, but there was a clear gap directly in front of where Aiden and the others now stood — no chairs were placed there, leaving the section open so the committee members could have a clear, unobstructed view of the students standing before them.
