Professor Robbins. She visited Olivia in the infirmary too.
And there was a small packet of tea on the nightstand by Olivia’s bed.
I stand abruptly. “I know who it is.”
"Absolutely not," Calder says when I explain the merits of my plan… for the third time. "Too dangerous."
"She doesn't know we suspect her." I've rehearsed these arguments in my head. "I'm her student. She trusts me. She didn’t leave a package for me because she knew I would take my own blend. But if I can convince her now that I need her help and she offers me something, we have proof."
"If she offers you poison," Julian says, "then we have a killer who knows you can use it against her."
"You'll be right outside." I look at each of them. "Any sign of danger, you intervene. But we need this. We need her to reveal herself."
“Ifshe is the killer.” Tyler shrugs. “We could be barking up the totally wrong tree here.”
“Nice analogy,” Julian says, and I can’t help smiling. “I thought you were a cat person.”
“Okay, we could be dangling the wrong ball of wool.” Tyler winks at me.
Gideon's text arrives then:Smart plan. But don't forget you can’t trust her. You need her to talk, then you get out.
“You’re not going to change your mind, are you?” Calder asks.
“No. If we leave it any longer, we might be too late.”
“I’ve managed to secure the office across from Professor Robbins,” Calder says when we reconvene. “Call me before you go in, and I’ll record the conversation on my phone.”
“We’ll wait in the hallway,” Tyler says.
“If anyone asks,” Julian adds, “we can say that we’re waiting for Professor Robbins to help us with some research.”
“Is that a polite way of saying that we’re trying to catch a killer?” Tyler deadpans.
“No, that would be: Yes, sir, we believe that the professor is an insane traditionalist with a penchant for slipping deadly foxglove extract into the tea of omegas just out of heat, and we’re trying to record her confession on our phones.”
Julian’s expression is neutral until we all start laughing.
Walking to the academic building feels surreal. Normal campus morning, students heading to class, everything ordinary.
Except I'm potentially walking into a killer's office.
Third floor. Julian and Tyler peel off, trying to look casual. Calder disappears into the office across the hall. My phone is in my pocket, screen locked, call already answered by Calder.
I knock, heart thudding.
"Come in." Professor Robbins’ face lights up when I enter. "Elowen, I was hoping you'd visit."
I bet she was. Four days until her natural causes window closes.
Her office looks the same as usual, dried herbs hanging from the ceiling, books on traditional omega dynamics lining the walls, academic awards displayed with quiet pride. Student papers spread across her desk.
She smiles at me as I sit down across from her. "How are you feeling post-heat? I heard you bonded. Three alphas… quiteunconventional."
"Still adjusting," I admit, playing my part. "I’m tired. I understand that it takes time, but I wondered if you might have some advice. A herbal remedy to speed up recovery? I have a lot of studying to catch up on." I chew my bottom lip and lower my eyes. Perhaps I should enroll in a drama class when this is all over.
Her eyes sharpen with interest. “I thought this was something you would have studied yourself, Elowen. You surprise me. Going into a multi-alpha pack heat without considering the consequences.”
“I considered the consequences of heat, Professor Robbins,” I keep my voice steady, despite the obvious meaning of her words. “But my experience is lacking. First heat, you know.”
