The next morning, I found out.
A message arrived at dawn. Official academy letterhead.
Hadeon Ravana.
You are hereby summoned to appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee regarding allegations of:
1. Theft of private property
2. Illegal surveillance
3. Conspiracy to commit fraud
4. Manipulation of academy markets
Hearing scheduled in three days hence
Failure to appear will result in automatic expulsion.
—Dean Marcus Ashford
"This is bullshit," Marcus said, slamming the summons on the table. "Complete fabrication."
"Obviously." I read through the charges again. "But well-crafted bullshit. Each charge has just enough plausibility to require a defense."
We were in the meeting room, three hours before the hearing. My entire inner circle was present. Thomas acting like a legal advisor.
"The theft charge is about the financial records," Thomas said, reading his notes. "They're claiming you stole them from Adrian's quarters."
"Which we did," Lucille said flatly.
