"Is that why you transferred here?"
"Elderwood allows questions," he says simply. "That's rare."
I think of Mira, teaching me that soil composition changes everything. That what thrives in one valley dies in another.
"Plants are the same," I say. "You can't force growth. You can only tend the conditions."
"Exactly," he says quietly. "Exactly that."
We work in silence for a while after that, the atmosphere companionable rather than strained. His scent isn’t as powerful as Calder’s or as sweet as Tyler’s, but it has found a place somewhere inside me, nonetheless, and I find myself leaning closer to him and inhaling deeply, imprinting it on my psyche.
Eventually, he stands. "You'll want the appendix. The author was less careful there."
Then he leaves, no flourish, no backward glance.
Within moments, a shadow falls across my table. Seraphina Bloom.
"Elowen?" She sits across the table from me. "I hope this isn't weird, but I was talking to Tyler Vale and–"
I produce a tiny packet and slide it across the table towards her. "To help you sleep."
She laughs softly. "Is it that obvious?"
"No. Tyler mentioned it to me too. In the greenhouse. Chamomile and lavender with a touch of valerian."
Relief floods her face as she takes the packet of ground powder. "Thank you. You’re a lifesaver."
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
I realize, a beat too late, how bad that sounds, but other omegas are filtering into the library, finding seats in the carrels.
Lila slides onto the bench beside me. She notices the packet immediately. “If you’re starting a herbal remedy business, I’m your accountant.”
I smile. “I’ll be sure to let you know. I can pay you with flavored tea.”
“Hmm, on second thoughts, maybe I’ll handle your social media instead.”
“I’ll be your first reviewer,” Seraphina adds.
“Only if it works,” I say, surprised that the joke is growing legs.
Professor Robbins enters the library, her signature coat flapping around her legs. She pulls the librarian’s seat out from behind the counter and sits in the middle of the library facing the omegas.
“I’ll keep this meeting brief,” she says in her gentle Scottish accent, and a hush settles over the library. “You’re probably all aware of the omega student who recently passed at our sister academy, Thornwood. Understandably, you might all feel a little anxious, given the tragic losses we experienced here at Elderwood last year. But I want to reassure you that your health and wellbeing is our priority.”
“Do you know how it happened?” Seraphina asks, leading the questions on behalf of the omegas.
The professor’s gaze skims the group in the library. “I heard that there were complications following the young lady’s heat, resulting in cardiac arrest.”
Lila slumps back in her seat next to me. Others gasp, eyes wide and teary.
Something is niggling away at me about the professor’s revelation, but I put it down to my own impending heat.
“...If you have any concerns regarding your heat cycle, or any other matter, please do not hesitate to come and speak to me. Or Seraphina.” Professor Robbins gestures at the studentcouncilor. “Or indeed, any other professor you feel comfortable speaking to.”
“Maybe Elowen could produce some herbal tea to help with heat symptoms.” Lila winks at me as she throws the suggestion into the library.
All eyes are on me.
