The Magic Department's private study room smelled of old leather, chalk dust, and polished brass. Early afternoon sunlight came through the tall, arched windows, illuminating the floating dust motes and casting long shadows across the heavy mahogany table. Alex pushed the heavy oak door open, stepping inside to escape the lingering whispers that had followed him through the academy corridors ever since breakfast.
Emma Arlon sat at the center of the long table. Spread before her was a thick stack of parchment containing the Vanguard Stars' standard recruitment contract. She had a polished inkwell open and a red-feathered quill in her hand.
"How did you get a copy of that?" Alex asked, pulling out a chair and resting his bandaged right hand carefully on his knee.
