Lyra's POV
After my heated encounter with Xander and the subsequent confrontation with Killian, I had no idea what to expect when Monday morning training arrived. I had practically shouted the training details at Xander before fleeing his room, never imagining he would actually show up.
Yet when his head appeared around the locker room door, my heart swelled with unexpected warmth. He had come. Against all odds, he had actually come.
Ash noticed immediately, his gaze snapping toward the Headmaster with visible alarm.
"No," he said sharply. "Hell no. Absolutely not. Are you out of your mind? Is she insane? Are you both—"
"Watch your language, Ironwood," Alaric interrupted with weary exhaustion. "Miss Cooper has requested that Mr. Eclipse replace Mr. Nightshade. I will permit it for now."
