JULIAN
The greenhouse feelsdifferent now that I realize anyone could have accessed it.
"Every single herb." I’m already photographing jars, creating an inventory. "Document everything."
Calder's installing a new lock on the door, heavy-duty, key-access only. The click of his tools provides a steady rhythm to our anxious work.
Tyler sits cross-legged on the floor, organizing my scattered notes into something systematic. "Okay, who have you given blends to in the past three months?"
Elowen runs through Seraphina’s list of names she sent by email. "Lila—anxiety blend for exams. Claire needed focus tea. Molly from biology wanted something for headaches. Dozens of people." She freezes when a name jumps out at her. “Kira Matsuda for heat cramps.” Her chin quivers. “Did she die because of me?”
"Stop." Calder's hand covers hers, stilling the pen that's been shaking. "This isn't your fault. This is simply one lead of the investigation. Crossing it off a list. Narrowing our options."
"But if someone copied my work?—"
"Thenthey’reresponsible. Not you." His grey eyes are fierce. "You give healing. Someone else chose death. That's on them. Besides, with no autopsy reports, we don’t know that the herbs contributed to Kira’s death, and you weren’t even here when the others died."
Elowen nods. He’s right. She is allowing fear to influence her judgement.
Elowen is brilliant at what she does. It’s in her blood. But I understand as well as she does, that some plants are toxic, lethal even, if used in the wrong quantities, and with no autopsy or toxicology reports to refer back to, it’s an option we would be foolish to overlook.
My laptop chimes. "According to Gideon’s notes, Helena Raven was given a sleep blend immediately before her heat. Does Seraphina coordinate with Thornwood Academy?"
Elowen double-checks the list the omega councilor sent across. “No Thornwood names on here, but I know she liaises with their student councilor.”
“Do you trust her?” I blink.
“Yes.” She doesn’t even need to think about it.
"Good enough for me." I continue scanning data. "And of course, every other omega on the list is still alive." I look up, my stomach clenching when I realize how that sounds. “I didn’t mean… It sounded wrong…”
But Elowen is laughing, hysteria threatening to bring her to her knees.
Laughter is contagious, especially when there’s a killer on the loose. Soon, we’re all laughing, tears running down our faces, cheeks aching from trying to hold it in.
“I didn’t kill anyone else with my tea blends,” she manages between choking gulps of laughter. “Maybe I can add that to my resume.”
“Along with private investigator skills,” Tyler adds.
“And the ability to incinerate grilled cheese.” Calder’s laughter booms above everyone else’s. “Every time.”
“You’re welcome.” Elowen fake bows, tears streaking her face.
Rani's room smells like vanilla and old textbooks. She perches on her bed while we crowd into the small space, trying to look casual about questions that are anything but.
We’re following Gideon’s research and speaking to other omegas who have experienced their first heat this semester, trying to find a connection, praying that it doesn’t come back to Elowen too.
"So weird you're asking," she says, twirling thick black hair around one finger. "But yeah, actually. After my last heat, someone left a care package outside my door."
Everyone in the room goes still.
"What kind of package?" Elowen’s voice is surprisingly steady.
"Sleep tea, recovery blend, little note that said for post-heat wellness." She shrugs. "I thought it was from you, honestly. It had a drawing of a greenhouse on the wrapping."
"It wasn't from me." Elowen swallows painfully. "Do you still have it?"
"Yeah, in my closet. I didn't need it." She retrieves a small bundle wrapped in brown paper, a greenhouse sketch on the front. "Why? Is something wrong with it?"
