They froze.
Not with fear—but with readiness.
Footsteps echoed from the corridor.
And a familiar figure stepped into the courtyard.
Not Morgana.
But someone sent by her.
Someone who should not have been here.
Professor Rowan.
His gaze landed on Merlin with surgical precision.
"Everhart," Rowan said calmly. "The Headmistress requests your presence."
Elara's hand tightened around her spear handle.
Nathan stepped forward half a pace.
The others shifted subtly.
Rowan lifted a brow. "Alone."
Merlin's pulse tightened.
Of course.
Of course she'd call him the moment he was surrounded.
He straightened.
And the group prepared to push back—
But Merlin lifted a hand.
"It's fine," he said quietly.
But his eyes never left Rowan.
"What does she want?"
Rowan's expression didn't change.
But something in his voice dropped an octave.
"Answers."
And just like that, the courtyard fell silent.
Merlin exhaled once.
Turned toward his friends.
And said—
"I'll go."
