The greenhouse had been sealed off.
Not just by faculty—by enchantments. Layers of spellwork shimmered faintly in the sunlight, like oil on water. Whatever had happened, they didn't want anyone getting close.
But Evelyn wasn't thinking about the fire anymore.
She was thinking about Caelan.
They walked in silence, side by side, until the edge of the south gardens. The world was too green, too quiet. It only made her nerves itch worse.
She stopped beneath the arbor and turned to him. "What aren't you telling me?"
Caelan looked at her, his expression unreadable. "What do you mean?"
"Don't do that." Her voice cracked with frustration. "You told me I'd have to decide who to trust. You knew about Isabella. About Alexander leaving. About too many things. So tell me the truth. Now."
He was silent for a long time.
Then finally—slowly—he exhaled and sat on the low stone ledge.
"I didn't lie to you, Evelyn. But I didn't tell you everything either. Not because I wanted to hurt you—but because I thought I was protecting you."
She folded her arms. "From what?"
He looked up, and this time… there was no smile. No warmth. Just a quiet weariness in his eyes.
"There are people watching this school. Watching you. It's not just Isabella. There's an entire network behind her—some of them tied to noble houses, others to ancient bloodlines. They're looking for power. Or prophecy. Or both."
"And you're one of them?" she asked, voice low.
"No." His answer came quickly, firm. "But I was raised among them. My family—my real family—were part of that world. The serpent sigil? I know it. I've seen what it means."
He reached into the inside of his coat and pulled out a ring.
A slender band, marked with the same coiled serpent.
"I don't wear it anymore," he said softly. "But I did once. Because I was supposed to follow in their footsteps. And then I met you."
Evelyn stared at it.
At the same mark she'd seen on that folded letter.
She felt her heart twist, unsure whether it was betrayal or something far more complicated.
"I left that world behind for you, Evelyn. But I can't pretend it doesn't exist. And I can't stop them if you won't let me help."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "And Alexander?"
Caelan's gaze didn't waver. "He may be stronger. Colder. But he's not the only one who'd fight for you."
Silence stretched between them—thick with things unsaid.
And for the first time… Evelyn didn't know which truth hurt more.