The library was a cathedral of silence, vast shelves stretching toward the high ceilings, dust motes swirling in the golden afternoon light. Vaelis stepped inside without hesitation, her gaze flicking over the familiar surroundings.

She had always preferred the solitude of books to the company of people, but today was different. Today, she wasn’t alone.

Rowan trailed behind her, hands in his pockets, glancing around like he had never stepped foot in a place like this before. Alicia and Adrian were already seated at one of the long wooden tables, their notebooks and laptops arranged in precise order.

Alicia looked up, her smile just a touch too polished. “You’re late.”

Vaelis didn’t bother replying. Instead, she slid into the seat across from her, flipping open her own notebook.

“The research materials are in the restricted section,” Alicia continued smoothly. “I’ve already arranged access, so—”

“I’ll handle that,” Vaelis interrupted, standing before anyone could protest.

Alicia hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “Fine.”

As Vaelis turned toward the dimly lit aisles of books, she felt Rowan’s presence beside her. “Guess I’ll tag along,” he said, flashing his usual lazy grin.

She didn’t acknowledge him.

But she did notice something else.

A flicker of movement—Adrian, lifting his gaze from his book, watching her as she walked away.

She ignored it.

—

The restricted section was eerily quiet, the scent of old paper thick in the air. Vaelis scanned the spines, her fingers gliding over the titles as she searched for the right volumes.

Rowan leaned against a nearby shelf, watching her with casual curiosity. “You always this intense?”

Vaelis didn’t pause. “Only when surrounded by idiots.”

Rowan let out a low whistle. “Ouch.”

She finally pulled out a thick, leather-bound book, flipping through the pages with practiced ease.

“You and Alicia really don’t get along, huh?” Rowan mused.

Vaelis didn’t answer immediately. She reached for another book, setting it on top of the first before turning to him. “People like her always think they can dictate the rules. They assume their version of ‘right’ is the only one that matters.”

Rowan smirked. “And you don’t like playing by their rules.”

“I prefer to rewrite them.”

His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he pushed off the shelf. “No wonder she’s tense around you.”

Vaelis hummed, unimpressed, before turning to leave. “Hurry up. We don’t have all day.”

As she stepped past a row of bookshelves, her eyes briefly landed on Adrian.

He was sitting exactly where she had left him, his book open in front of him. But he wasn’t reading.

He was watching her.

The second their eyes met, he looked away—casual, unhurried, as if he hadn’t been caught. But Vaelis noticed the way his fingers traced over the page absentmindedly, the way his posture had subtly shifted, angled slightly toward her instead of his work.

She turned away, dismissing it.

It didn’t matter.

—

Back at the table, Alicia barely glanced at the books before saying, “I already found similar references online. These might not be necessary.”

Vaelis arched a brow. “Online sources aren’t always reliable.”

Alicia’s smile didn’t falter. “I verified them.”

“Then you won’t mind if I double-check.”

Alicia’s fingers curled slightly around her pen, but she only nodded. “Of course.”

Rowan, clearly enjoying the tension, leaned back in his chair. “You two should do this more often. Makes studying a lot more fun.”

Vaelis ignored him, already turning the pages of the book in front of her.

She felt the weight of a gaze.

Not Rowan’s.

Adrian.

“Your method is efficient,” he finally spoke. His voice was calm, composed—but there was something else beneath it. A quiet observation.

Vaelis glanced up, meeting his gaze. There was no mockery in his tone, no underlying amusement. Just a simple statement.

She held his stare for a second before looking away. “Obviously.”

The conversation moved on, but Vaelis knew—something had shifted.

Adrian Voss was watching her.

And for the first time, she wasn’t sure why.