The moment Ningyan appeared inside the library, he stumbled, his balance slipping but Meishan's arm wrapped around his waist, steady and firm, before he abruptly released him and turned him to face him.
Meishan looked tense. Panicked.
"What's going on, Meishan?" Ningyan asked, lifting a hand to touch his cheek.
Meishan didn't answer right away.
"I need you to come to me tonight," he said urgently. "Here. To the library. We have to leave."
Ningyan frowned, confusion stirring despite already understanding what Meishan meant.
"You know I can't. The spirit mate chain—"
"Listen to me." Meishan cut him off sharply, cupping Ningyan's face and forcing him to meet his gaze. Emerald serpent eyes glowed faintly, intense and pleading.
"My uncles aren't here to observe or negotiate," he said. "They came to steal something valuable. They failed. Now they're going to take it by force and they won't care if they destroy the entire academy in the process."
