I take it from her; the fear in Elowen’s eyes is unmistakable. "We need to test it. Quality control concern."
Rani’s eyes widen. "Is it dangerous? Who sent it?"
"We don't know yet," Tyler says gently. "But better safe than sorry."
We ask other omegas the same careful questions. Three more admit to receiving similar packages. All after the first heat with a new pack. All with greenhouse drawings. All assumed they were from me.
Pure luck none of them drank it. Not that we have evidence that it’s contaminated.
"Multiple targets," I say as we walk back across campus. "If this is what we’re looking for, this means active attempts on current students, although not all of them have experienced their first heat."
“Yet,” Elowen says.
I’m praying our tests reveal a harmless blend of herbs created by someone who doesn’t want Elowen to have the monopoly on natural remedies. Rivalry she can handle. Poison isn’t something I want to think about.
I’m wrong.
We take over one of the science labs to test the blend given to us by Rani. Elowen hovers close to my side. This affects us all, but for her, it must feel like she’s sitting on Death Row, dreading the moment the door opens, and she knows her time is up.
My fingers tremble. I have to pause several times during the process, afraid I’ll spoil the results and be forced to start over.
Calder massages Elowen’s lower back. Tyler maintains a steady supply of tea and coffee although I can barely taste it.
“How long will this take?” Tyler asks.
“How long is a piece of string?” It trips out without thinking, my mind focused on the task in hand. “I don’t want to rush it.”
“Alright?” Calder asks Elowen.
She shrugs. “I’m scared.”
Calder folds her into his arms, and I’m glad we’re all here for her. “We’re all scared. But we won’t let anything happen to you. Promise.”
“I can’t help thinking that we’re missing something,” she says, scrunching her eyes tightly. “It’s right there.” She taps her temple with her knuckles. “But I can’t grab hold of it.”
I tune out of the conversation and stare at the results of the lab test unfolding in front of my eyes. "This isn't a normal sleep blend. There's digitalis. Concentrated foxglove extract." I make some quick calculations. "Enough to cause cardiac arrest in someone with post-heat physiology. Body already stressed, heart rate elevated—this would push it over edge. The victim would think they're just tired from heat until?—"
Elowen’s eyes widen. “Concentrated foxglove?”
“Are you sure?” Tyler moves around the bench to see what I can see.
“Positive. But without an autopsy report for Kira, we can’t prove that’s what killed her.”
“No,” Calder’s voice is low, “but it’s too much of a coincidence to not pursue it.”
“What do we do now?” Elowen asks.
“We should inform Gideon,” Tyler suggests.
“Then we find out who had access to omega heat records.” I feel strangely calm now that we know what we’re dealing with. It’s one more lead than Gideon had when we spoke to him.
Elowen’s phone buzzes then, and the color drains from her face.
“The killer knows what we’re doing.”
Tyler takes her phone, his lips a thin line. “I’m blocking their messages.”
Why didn’t I think of that?
