The colors weren’t the only thing that had changed. The air around us warmed, but rather than comforting me, it made me uneasy. I sneezed, shaking my head to ward off a new, strange odor at the same moment that Shay’s nose wrinkled.

“What is that?” he asked.

The invisible concoction assaulting my nostrils had familiar components—black pepper, sage, clove, and cedar—but the combination of scents was overwhelming. My eyes burned and watered. The warmth pouring over my skin began to itch—an unpleasant sensation like tiny gnats were biting me. Shay growled, scratching at his arms.

“Oh.” Connor cast a sidelong glance at us. “We probably should have cut back through the courtyard.”

Shay began to cough and glared accusingly at Connor.

“Don’t worry,” Adne said. “We’re almost past it.”

“Past what?” I cupped my hands over my nose and mouth, but I was coughing too, as if I’d inhaled smoke.

“This is Pyralis, and we’re passing their Apothecary,” Adne said, gesturing to a set of double doors that resembled those of Haldis Tactical, only the triangles carved into the Apothecary’s doors were plain, with their tips pointing upward.

“Sorry,” Connor muttered. “I didn’t realize it would affect you.”

“Why isn’t it bothering you two?” I asked, taking shallow breaths though since we’d passed the doors, the acrid scents had begun to fade.

“The Apothecary creates our enchantments—the compounds we use to make our weapons more effective against . . .” Adne winced when she looked at me.

“Guardians.”

I ran my tongue along sharpening canines.

“Enchanted bolts; hope you’re enjoying the ride.” It was a good thing Ethan had stayed at Purgatory. Had he been walking alongside me, when memories of the Searchers’ venom snaking through my veins made my chest throb, I wouldn’t have been able to resist ripping a chunk out of his arm.

“Yeah,” Connor added. “You should steer clear of Pyralis. It’s never going to be a pleasant place for you to visit.”

“Thanks for the tip,” Shay muttered, releasing the collar of his shirt, which he’d pulled up like a tent over his nose.

I knew we’d reached Haldis when the fiery shades ceased flickering in the walls and became the gently waving dark hues found only deep in the soil. The burning fumes of Pyralis had vanished. I took deep breaths, enjoying the way the clear air soothed my stinging chest. The itchiness subsided, though both Shay and I had red scratches running up and down our arms as souvenirs from our brief trip past the Apothecary.

“So each of the wings reflects its elemental source?” I asked. “Earth, air, fire, and water?”

Having seen the otherthree wings, I wondered what the water section of the Academy was like.

“Yep,” Adne said.

“Pretty, isn’t it?” Connor asked. “Nice place to call home.”

“Thank you.” Adne grinned at him over her shoulder.

“Huh?” I frowned.

Connor laughed. “The Weavers pull the threads through the building. But Adne just decided to take all the credit.”

The tension in my shoulders eased a bit at the sound of his laughter; I knew that Connor was returning to himself. The instant effect of his teasing made it obvious how much his fatalistic humor could be an asset to his allies. Even if it was often irritating.

“Threads?” Shay asked.

“It’s the key to how we move the Academy,” she said, rubbing her temples. “But honestly, my head is just pounding. Can I awe you with my mad skills another time?”

She’d come to a stop in front of a door. “This is you, Calla.”

Connor spared me a sly smile. “I’m right down the hall if you have nightmares, she-wolf. Bed’s big enough to share as long as you don’t bite . . . hard.”

I grabbed Shay before he could lunge at Connor.

“You really need to lighten up,” Connor growled, shaking his head at Shay’s balled fists.

“God, Connor,” Adne groaned. “Headache, remember? Could you put the commentary on hold for tonight?”

“Sorry.”

I was stunned. He’d never apologized for his jokes before. Connor went to her, pushing wisps of hair away from her eyes. “You should get some sleep.”

“It’s not late enough to go to bed.” I thought I saw her shudder. “Even if it was, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

“We can talk, then,” he said. All evidence of his puckish humor had vanished.

She looked up at him, silent for several heartbeats, and then nodded.

“You can find your room, Shay?” Connor asked, not taking his eyes off Adne.

“I’m pretty sure I already said that,” Shay said. “Like ten minutes ago.”

“Uh-huh.” Connor put his arm around Adne’s shoulders, leading her farther down the hall.

I watched them walk away, puzzling over the roller-coaster ride of their interactions.

The sound of Shay clearing his throat pulled my thoughts away from Connor and Adne’s strange relationship.

“Where’s your room?” I asked.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, glancing down the hall but not meeting my gaze. “It’s just next door, but I thought maybe . . .”

My pulse jumped and then my cheeks flamed as Connor’s comment replayed in my head.