Leticia’s POV
The Headmistress’s closing words barely registered.
“Thank you to our distinguished guests for their candor. Students, please proceed to your next scheduled sessions in an orderly fashion. Dismissed.”
The auditorium erupted into motion—chairs scraping, voices rising, footsteps thundering toward the exits like a herd finally released. I didn’t wait for the crowd to thin. I was already moving.
Bag clutched to my chest, head down, I slipped into the nearest side aisle and let the flow of bodies carry me toward the double doors on the left. Aria was chanting in my skull like a war drum.
“Left, left, left—service corridor past the janitor’s station—don’t look back—don’t slow down—"
My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I was scared someone might hear me. Every few steps,
