Noah Ashbourne.
His eyes, calm and focused, lifted from the page.
"I've been listening."
Scarlett smiled.
"And what do you think?"
Noah set the book down, gently placing a piece of paper between the pages as a marker.
"I think you're right," he said in a quiet voice.
"It would be careless not to follow up on the readings. Too many variables."
Professor Juno relaxed slightly.
Professor Elaine gave a small sigh.
But Noah continued, folding his gloved hands together.
"However," he said, "I won't be joining the patrol."
Scarlett blinked.
"Oh?"
Noah nodded once.
"I trust the class I'm overseeing. If they fail or succeed, it will be by their hands alone. That's part of the lesson. Besides..." he looked out the window for a moment, "...I've given them everything they need. Including faith."
The other instructors shared a look.
No one argued.
They were used to him by now—his way of speaking, his quiet distance, and most of all, his curse.
