Fawna froze. "Give her to them."

"No."

"No? No?! After all that Yani did to us?! Have you gone insane?"

Reianna put her hand on Fawna's arm. Fawna threw it off. Tears streamed down Fawna's cheeks. "After what she's done to Avali? Avali was my best friend! I don't even recognize her anymore! In four months, I'm supposed to go back home with her! And it's that person's fault." Fawna jabbed her finger in the direction of Banca.

Pulling Fawna back, Reianna closed the door. Banca was awake. Reianna didn't want her to hear the argument with Fawna. Reianna was going to have to defend Banca, and she didn't want the girl to get the wrong idea.

"Do you want her to die?"

"What?"

"I hate her just as much as you do, Fawna, but the question is, do you want her to die?"

The air around Fawna cooled. "Of course not. I just want her gone."

"The city guard are here for her. Earlier today, they killed her entire family, and they want to kill her too."

Fawna's face paled.

"I'd like her gone as well, but like Gerenet-Shr taught us, we fight to protect lives. Be it our friends or people we can't stand."

Fawna backed away from Reianna and collapsed into one of the chairs. Reianna followed and sat down on the couch across from her. The three dinner trays were laid out on the table between them, and Natya had vanished.

"So, what are we going to do with…her?" Fawna asked.

Reianna shrugged. "Nurse Tyze went to tell Gerenet-Shr. I'm sure he'll be here soon to take her off our hands. For what it's worth, she's been abused much more than you and I were. You should have seen her body." Reianna felt like she was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince Fawna.

Fawna frowned. "And here I thought you were the more cynical of the two of us."

"Well, aren't our friends from the other classes proof that people can change?"

"That's true, but still…that's like bringing in a Yani and saying you can change it back into an animal."

"We owe it to ourselves to give her that chance. That's the difference between us and them. We give individuals a chance."

"I think she's already proven her Yani core to us, Rei."

"You might be surprised."

The door to Reianna's room creaked open. Banca stood there with her hair matted and her uniform in wrinkles. She still looked tired.

Her eyes didn't meet Reianna's; she just stared at Fawna. After a long pause, Banca walked over to Fawna and sank to both knees in front of her. "I'm sorry, Miss Fawna. Everything you said is correct. But, still, please…I don't want to die."

Fawna looked down at Banca. "Get off the floor. Rei was nice enough to get you food. Sit and eat."

Banca stood and sat in the other chair. The way she ate wasn't anything like the pristine noble she'd been at the start of the year. She held the plate up and shoveled the food into her mouth as if Reianna or Fawna would take it away from her at any moment. The more Reianna watched Banca, the more she reminded Reianna of someone from her barony.

Fawna put her fork down. "You don't have to eat like that. Rei and I won't take your food."

Banca paused like she hadn't realized how she'd been eating. She set her plate and fork down, then wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I'm sorry. You're right. That was improper of me. I just—"

"It's okay, Banca," Reianna said. "We hate you, but we won't hurt you."

Banca's eyes fell to the floor. "Thank you," she mumbled so quietly that Reianna barely heard her.

"You can take your time to eat. You probably haven't been able to do that for a while, right?"

Banca nodded.

"Just enjoy it."

A tear rolled down Banca's cheek, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. Picking up her fork and a knife, she cut off a piece of chicken and put it in her mouth. She didn't look up from her plate; she just quietly chewed.

Reianna and Fawna resumed their meals as well, also choosing to eat in silence. An awkward air hung in the room. Banca's movements were stiff at first, but when neither of the other girls interrupted her meal, the tightness in her shoulders relaxed.

All three had just finished eating when a knock came at the door. Crystal got up from his spot by Reianna's side and trotted over to it. He looked at the knob, as if waiting for it to turn, and wagged his tail.

"Reianna, Fawna, it's Basque."

"Come in, Gerenet-Shr," Reianna said as she wiped her mouth off. She straightened her uniform and brushed off a few crumbs.

Banca stood and walked over to the couch. She sat and latched onto Reianna's hand. Reianna's skin crawled. Memories, all too recent, came back, and she tried to shake her hand free.

"Please, Miss Reianna. I'm scared."

Reianna let her hand hang limply—Banca grasped it, but Reianna didn't return the hold. Fawna frowned.

Crystal jumped up at Gerenet-Shr when he walked in. "Off, boy!" he said and pushed the dog off him. Natt came in with Gerenet-Shr, and after he couldn't get the attention he wanted from Gerenet-Shr, Crystal jumped up on Natt. She ruffled his ears, then pushed him down as well.

"Miss Banca, I'm glad to see that you are okay."

"Are you really?" the girl asked. Her tone was bitter.

Reianna pulled her hand away. "Gerenet-Shr doesn't say things he doesn't mean."

Banca grabbed Reianna's sleeve. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not the one you insulted."

Banca turned to Gerenet-Shr. "I'm sorry."

Reianna lowered her hand, and Banca clutched it again. Fawna's scowl didn't lighten.

"I am glad, Miss Banca. I didn't know you were in here, but even if I had, I still would have turned Krill and his troops away."

"So, it was that Yani-bastard."

"Yes, it was Krill, but that's not what we need to talk about right now. We need to talk about what you are going to do next."

"What options do I have?"

Basque looked at Natt. Natt nodded and grabbed the chair Banca had abandoned, dragging it closer to the girls. She sat down in it and clasped her hands.

"Your family has fallen. It's been confirmed, you are the last of the direct bloodline left. Your aunts and uncles still live, but all of them threw their support in with Krill after the trial."

"Of course they would have. Devious, plotting Yani, the lot of them."

Natt nodded. She reached a hand out towards Banca, then pulled it back. "I'm sorry, Banca."

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Banca glared at Natt. A flash of anger crossed Banca's face. "It's too late for you to be saying that."

Natt sighed. "Our options are limited. If you want to stay in the nobility, you'll have to challenge Krill for the rights to the duchy, but you probably don't have enough kills to maintain the claim on it once you do, do you?"

Banca shook her head. "I don't want it. He can have it."

"That means you have to drop down to the common class."

Again, that look of anger returned. "Oh? So maybe you'll finally care about me then."

"Banca—"

Banca shook her head. "It's fine. Whatever. I don't care as long as I can stay near Reianna."

Reianna frowned. She didn't know what was going on between Natt and Banca, but she didn't care. What bothered Reianna was Banca's desperation to stay near her. She just wanted the girl gone. She'd saved Banca—her part was done.

"Since you are already enrolled here, you can apply for commoner exceptionism once you forgo your noble status."

"Okay."

"Are you sure?"

Banca nodded. "I'm fine with that."

Natt leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees. "If we do all this, it means you will lose all claim to your father's former duchy and status as a noble. You will also join Class E as a commoner."

A soft smile spread on Banca's lips. "That's actually better than how I imagined this would turn out."

Natt sat up. "Better than you imagined?"

"Yes. Miss Cormick, over the last several months, I've learned some things. Among them, the most important lesson I've learned is how much I regret doing what I did to Miss Reianna and Miss Fawna. Being in the same class with them and doing my best to make amends, that's more than I ever hoped for."

Natt looked at the other two girls. Reianna kept her face flat, but Fawna shook her head. Gerenet-Shr put his hand on Fawna's shoulder, and the blonde girl looked up at him.

"Fawna, I have to work with Krill and Eder. We are asking you to work with Banca, not to like her, not to become friends with her. Your dislike—"

"Hatred."

Basque nodded. "Your hatred is justified, but I just ask that you put it aside enough to work with her."

"Fine. But what are you going to do about pods? I don't want her in mine."

"I've not decided what to do about the pod structure yet. I wasn't even sure if she would join our class or not. Give me a bit for that."

"I don't know what those pods or whatever are, but I want to be with Miss Reianna," Banca said.

Reianna frowned. She'd done her part. Banca wasn't going to die. Why was the girl clinging to her so much? Reianna pulled her hand free from Banca's grip. The lilac girl pouted.

Fawna grinned. "I hope he puts you with Taraia."

"I'll work it out later."

Sliding down the couch, making more room between herself and Banca, Reianna spoke for the first time since her teachers came in, "How long will it take for her to become a commoner?"

"It depends," Natt said. "I'll get in contact with Billiam. He can speed things along."

"What are we going to do with her till then?"

Basque scratched his chin. "Well, the other room in Yesenia's suite is open. We can put her in there."

"Can I stay here with Reianna?" Banca asked.

Reianna shot off the couch. "Yani, no! What is your problem? I hate you, Banca. Don't mistake the pity I showed you with the medicine and following my beliefs that I should save people, even ones I hate, as some sort of sign that you and I can become friends."

Fawna's grin widened, and she nodded along with Reianna.

"It's going to be annoying having you in my class from now on, when I'd rather never see your face again. I can't help but see you because of that, but don't talk to me, don't come near me, and don't you ever touch me again."

"Yes, Miss Reianna."

"My part with you is done." Reianna walked into her room and slammed the door. Crystal whimpered from the other side. Reianna opened the door and let the dog in, then slumped down with her back to it, so if someone wanted to open it, they would have to push her out of the way.

Crystal put his head in Reianna's lap, and she rubbed his head. Reianna couldn't understand why Banca was forcing her way into her life. Why couldn't the Yani go off like Sanya and never be seen again? And now Banca was going to be in her class?

Maybe she should have listened to Fawna and called the city guard. A pain shot through Reianna's chest. No. That had never been an option. She wanted to make Kruami better. She wasn't under some sort of delusion where she thought Hianbru was some sort of utopia, but the way it sounded through Gerenet-Shr, was worlds better than how most people in Kruami lived.

Time and again, Reianna had watched Gerenet-Shr live what he preached: Yesenia, Natt, Class E, he even worked with Krill to help save Reianna herself. There was no doubt in her mind that he would do his all even to save Julvie. Discarding Banca and giving her over to the people who would kill her wasn't an option.

But it didn't mean she wanted Banca near her.

Envious that Fawna had already taken a bath, Reianna sighed and made her way into the bathroom. All Reianna wanted to do was slip into bed and hope that this was all some sort of nightmare. To say she regretted showing Banca enough kindness to make her seek out Reianna for help would have been an understatement.

Natya had already changed out the bath water, but Reianna didn't feel like a long soak. She slipped in and out, only taking the time to wash the sweat and grime from herself. After putting on her pajamas, she went back into her room and froze.

"What the Yani are you doing in here?"

Banca, sitting at Reianna's study desk, looked at her. "I need a place to sleep."

"The hallway is open."

Banca didn't respond.

Reianna ripped her door open and screamed. Crystal barked along with her, and Reianna calmed herself; bending down, she rubbed Crystal's head. "Sorry, boy. You need to be quiet."

Pets weren't allowed at Dyntril. Taking care of the class dog was a game of clandestine work—evening and early morning walks, maids scraping together bits of meals, keeping him from barking. One day, they'd be found out. Reianna trusted Gerenet-Shr to handle it when it happened, but the longer she could delay that day, the better.

Calmed, Reianna stalked through the empty audience room, out through the hall, and pounded on the door to Gerenet-Shr's room. He pulled his door open.

"Why is she still in my room?"

"She needs some place to sleep—"

"Isn't there an empty room with Yesenia?"

"No blankets."

"No blankets?! Stick a Yani up her ass! That'll keep her warm while she sleeps in the hall!"

"Reianna—"

"No, Gerenet-Shr! You know what that girl did to me! I did my part! She's not going to die!" Reianna gestured down the hall towards her room, then slapped the back of her hand on the other.

"Is she going to hurt you again?"

Reianna stopped at the question, and her arms fell to her side. "Does that matter?"

"What if Fawna had decided to hate you after how you reacted when she and I came into your room?"

"What?" Reianna narrowed her eyes.

"That first day, we walked through the lobby together, and she was mocked and insulted, but never lost her smile. Then, when we walked in to meet you, your coldness made her cry."

"Is this you trying to make me feel good?" Reianna growled. "I was rude to her! I didn't BREAK HER BODY!"

"No. I know Banca did unforgivable things to you. I know it's not an equal comparison, and I'm wrong for even making it, but you are Fawna's best friend now, even after that horrible start."

"It sounds to me like you are telling me to forgive Banca."

Gerenet-Shr shook his head. "No. That's completely up to you. I'm asking you to do something more difficult than fighting Yani. I'm asking you to let her stay in your room tonight, knowing that tomorrow she'll still be here, and the day after that. I'm asking you to share your space with someone who hurt you. It isn't fair of me, but I have no other choice but to ask it of you."

Reianna just glared at him.

He took a deep breath. "It's perfectly okay if you never forgive her; I will never ask you to do that, but just know that while there is a difference between throwing someone in a fire and leaving them to freeze to death, the end result is still the same."

"She's not going to freeze to death one night without blankets inside the school." Reianna didn't wait for him to reply—he'd already given his answer.

Stomping back to her room, Reianna clenched her fists by her sides. She'd never been disappointed in Gerenet-Shr before. Her stomach wouldn't settle, and she wanted to vomit. How could he do this to her? She thought he cared about her. Stopping halfway to her room, she put her hand on the wall and dry-heaved. What would someone have to do to her so that he would put her first?

Before she banged her door open, like she really wanted to, she calmed herself so that she wouldn't upset Crystal. She didn't have to, though, as her dog wasn't waiting for her like he normally did. Maybe he'd gone into Fawna's room.

She did bang the door to her room open and froze. Crystal had his head in Banca's lap, like he did with Reianna, and Banca was rubbing his head, like Reianna did. He didn't even get upset at how Reianna barged into the room.

She couldn't help it. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Reianna had never been so angry in her life.

"Where did you get such a beautiful dog?" Banca asked.

Reianna breathed deeply through her nose.

"I know Fifi is dead."

"And Razzle?"

Banca flinched. Her hands fell away from Crystal. The dog moved his head and wagged his tail, as if he was trying to get Banca's attention again.

"Crystal, come here."

The dog lifted his head and looked at Reianna. His tail wagging picked up, but he didn't move from Banca's side. When Reianna didn't go to him, he put his head back in Banca's lap. Something tore inside Reianna.

"Go," Banca told him, and he finally listened.

Whatever tore in her crumbled. He listened to Banca, not her.

As he trotted over to Reianna, her vision blurred from the anger and tears. She stormed over to her bed, ripped the top comforter off, and grabbed her pillow. "You two can stay in here."

Carrying her things, Reianna stomped her way out and slammed the door behind her. A corner of her comforter fell out of her hands and dragged on the floor as she ran to Fawna's room.

She didn't knock, she just went in. Fawna shot up in her bed. "Rei?"

"Fawna!" Dropping her things, Reianna ran to her roommate's arms.

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