Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 217

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09:37 Thu, Jan 8 G

Before the Trap Was Sprung

“No,” Evander agrees. “They’ll find silence.”

I lean slightly into Cassian, grounding myself as the weight of the plan begins to settle. When I speak, it’s calm and measured.

“We should let them go there,” I say. “Hide in the shadows and the trees, completely unseen and waiting.”

All eyes turn toward me, attentive but uncritical.

“They’ll end up spreading out,” I continue. “They’ll search for clues, and we can pick a few of them off before it becomes an all–out war.”

Cassian shifts beside me. His agreement hums through the bond before he speaks aloud.

“They’ll expose their command structure without realising it,” he says. “They always do when they think they’ve already won.”

Vale’s fingers pause over the slate. “How long do we wait before engaging?”

100

“Long enough for arrogance to do its job,” Rhaziel answers calmly. His shadows barely move, but the intent behind them is unmistakable. “Once they spread,

they’re weaker. Once they’re confused, they’re sloppy.”

Marrow bares her teeth in something that might be a grin. “Hounds in the trees,” she says. “No frontal charge. We strike from blind angles. Drag them down

fast and quiet.”

Tharos nods. “Dragons stay grounded until chaos starts. The moment it does, we take the air and burn spellcasters first.”

Lysara’s gaze returns to me, sharp but not unkind. “And you?”

I don’t hesitate. “I stay with Cassian.”

Cassian inclines his head slightly, as if this was never in question.

“We use the technique we trained,” I continue. “I’m going to use his power for as long as possible so I don’t have to siphon too many.”

Vale studies us both for a long moment, then nods. “That keeps you from burning out.”

“That’s the idea,” I say lightly.

Her mouth curves just a fraction. “Good. I don’t feel like reorganising this rebellion around your absence.”

I snort before I can stop myself.

Marrow laughs outright. “I like her.”

“Careful,” Kael mutters. “She bites.”

“I absolutely do,” I confirm.

The plan settles quickly after that. No arguing. No power plays. Just experienced leaders filling in gaps, adjusting angles, accounting for people and terrain and timing. I listen more than I speak, tracking how each piece fits together. As the meeting breaks apart, people peel away in pairs and trios, already moving toward their roles. Vale and the rest of the Faction linger briefly, murmuring over the slate, then disperse. Dragons drift back toward their section of camp. Hellhounds melt into the trees like they were never standing there at all.

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0237 Thu, Jang

Before the Trap Was Sprung

Cassian stays beside me,

“You okay?” he asks quietly, for my ears alone,

I nod, “Yeah, just…. processing.”

He hums, low and approving. “You did well.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I argue.

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He glances at me. “You shifted the plan.”

I open my mouth to deny it, then stop, because he’s right. They listened, they adapted, and no one questioned whether I was capable of backing it up. That

realisation lands heavier than the plan itself.

Marrow steps back into my space before I can spiral too far, hands on her hips, eyes sharp and thoughtful.

“You hold yourself differently,” she says.

I blink. “Is that good or bad?”

“Good,” she replies immediately. “You’re not trying to prove anything. You’re just… there.” She taps her chest once. “That’s dangerous.”

I smile faintly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

She nods. “You should.”

Lysara joins us, her presence quieter but no less commanding. “We’ll position behind the main line,” she says. “If anything slips through, it won’t get far.”

“I appreciate that,” I tell her honestly.

She studies my face for a moment longer, then nods once. “You remind me of someone.”

I don’t ask who. Some things don’t need answers.

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