He breathed out a sigh. Had he been holding his breath?
“Some people leave marks on you, lasting more than a lifetime.”
She looked up. His eyes flicked down to the Sigil mark on his wrist that was now covered with his sleeve, then back to hers, a subtle weight in his glance, hinting at history and fates intertwined.
She looked back down and fastened the button. Once finished, she took a step back, looking anywhere but at him. Her heart beat fast, clearly pleased that Andrew had a mark to match her own, but this was so much bigger than your usualboy meets girl. She needed time to process.
When the silence stretched out uncomfortably, she dared a glance at him. He was grinning, a teasing glint in his eyes. He reached for a jacket draped over a nearby chair. As he lifted it and slipped his arms through, the faint scent of his aftershave reached her.
Rolling her eyes, she spun on her heel and strode toward the door, Andrew following her with a chuckle.
Chapter Thirty
November 20th
Isla entered the laboratory, the familiar scent of plants grounding her. She paused for a moment, letting her gaze sweep over the assembled students. In the front row sat Olivia-May, notebook open, pen poised, eyes bright with eagerness. A few rows back, Jimmy leaned back slightly in his chair, casual but observant, his eyes flicking toward Isla with a curiosity that made her uneasy. He had been cleared of any involvement in her attacks, but she still felt unsettled every time he was in one of her classes.
“Good morning, everyone,” Isla began, her voice thankfully steady, carrying across the room. “Today, we’ll be investigating how soil composition influences plant growth,” she continued, moving between the desks. “Even minor variations in minerals—iron, calcium, nitrogen—can dramatically affect the health and resilience of a crop. You’ll be working in pairs, comparing different soil samples, measuring pH and moisture retention, and observing how seedlings respond over time. Take careful notes, consider how each element interacts, and think about the broader implications—how this could impact crop yields, resilience to drought, or resistance to disease. Remember, science is not just about what you see today, but about understanding what might happen if conditions change.”
She moved toward the demonstration table, her mind partially on the lecture and partially on Jimmy. He had seen herwhen she received her mark, and now his eyes still held a look of interest. After all she’d been through, she just wanted answers. Juliette had been searching the library for Ray’s notes but hadn’t yet found anything in the vast room. Isla felt guilty she hadn’t helped much there. They all needed answers, and she felt Jimmy knew something—or was she just being paranoid? The back of her neck prickled as she wrote the day’s date on the chalkboard.
“Okay, start working with your lab partner. After I have written some notes on the board to help guide you, I’ll come around and offer input as needed. Let me know if you have any questions.” The students shuffled into position as she wrote notes for her class. Once finished, she turned, seeing who may need her assistance.
“Olivia-May,” she said, stepping closer to the attentive girl. “How are you getting on?
Olivia’s face lit up as she spoke, her voice quick with excitement. “Professor, if we adjust the moisture levels just slightly in this sample, the seedlings might actually show the effect of calcium more clearly.” She looked to Isla for confirmation. The suggestion, a small adjustment to the experiment, impressed Isla. She felt a surge of pride—this was exactly what she loved: helping bright minds connect knowledge to the real world.
By the end of the session, Olivia-May had taken detailed notes, and even Jimmy asked questions that seemed ordinary enough. As the students packed up, Isla caught Andrew’s eye through the window. He gave a small nod, waiting for her to finish her class.
“A good session?” he asked as she stepped out of the lab into the corridor lined with tall arched windows letting in the pale afternoon light.
“Yes, I think so,” she replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Olivia-May is really coming along. Though Jimmy looked ... curious. I know he was given the all clear, but I just don’t know. I guess I’m seeing things that aren’t there, but I just need answers.”
“Harold looked into him,” Andrew said, loosening his tie as they walked past lecture halls. “Jimmy had a study session—he was with a class professor and then a group of students. It wasn’t him.”
Isla let out a quiet breath. She was, of course, relieved it wasn’t one of her own students. Yet the thought of those out there wishing her harm left a hollow ache in her stomach.
“Juliette has asked that we go help her and Edmund search the library for Ray’s notes. Are you free now?”
Isla looked at her watch. “I am. That was my last lecture, though I admit to being rather famished.”
“How about we stop at my office en route? I always have a drawer full of snacks for such an occasion—then maybe I can cook you dinner after?”
Looking at him, Isla replied, “Dinner sounds lovely.”
After munching a couple of digestive biscuits, Isla and Andrew entered the library, where Edmund was busy searching one side of the library, Juliette the other.
“Ah. Why, if it isn’t the Green Goddess and the Frost Guard, come to save the day.”
Chuckling, Isla smiled at her friend while Andrew wandered over to Edmund. A few dedicated students still studied, andanother librarian was preparing to close the library for the evening.
“My, my, Isla. Don’t you look happy. Either your new status as a superhero has lightened you up, or you’ve finally realized that a certain professor is seriously interested in you.”
“Shh, he’ll hear you.”
“Oh, you mean Andrew? I was talking about Simon—the maths professor. Glad you cleared that up.”
“Juliette!” Isla glanced at her, then back at Andrew, worried her voice was carrying across the vast room.
