I see it in the way Theo’s jaw clenched, the way Orion goes unnervingly still, and the way Bennett’s fingers curl into a tight fist against the table.

“Shit,” Morgan breathes out. “And you’re absolutely sure?”

“Without a doubt,” Dr. Carter confirms. “Given the concentration in the sample, whoever drank from the tumbler would have experienced symptoms of cyanide poisoning. Depending on the dose and how frequently it was consumed, it could have led to dizziness, vomiting, confusion… even death.”

Just like the others.

Morgan exhales slowly. “Alright. Thank you for the confirmation.”

“I’ll send the full report over by the morning.”

“Appreciate it.” Morgan hangs up, pressing her phone to her forehead for a moment before setting it down. The quiet in the room is deafening, thick with the weight of unspoken things. My chest feels tight, as if someone has reached in and squeezed the air right out of me. I try to swallow, but my throat is so dry, so tight, that it’s like trying to force a breath through a straw.

My hands are clammy, slick with sweat. The heat from the room presses down on me, but it’s as if I can’t escape the chill that’s crept under my skin. My mind whirls, unable to slow down. I can’t focus—every thought is a thousand miles away. A flash of memory strikes without warning. The cafe. Aubrey. A few weeks ago.

She made me a damn elderberry latte. The memory is so vivid it nearly knocks the air out of me. Why had I not connected the dots sooner? Why hadn’t I thought to question it?

I blink, trying to shake the intrusive thoughts, but they won’t leave me. They’re too loud. Aubrey stood there. Watching me drink it.

I try to focus and pull myself together. “I—” My voice is hoarse, the words scraping their way up my throat. Focus, Selene. I clear my throat and press my palms flat against the table, hoping the solid surface will ground me. But even then, my legs feel like jelly. I meet Morgan’s eyes, trying to anchor myself, though my mind is still reeling. “A few weeks ago… Aubrey made me an elderberry latte.”

“But she said she was experimenting with new flavors. She stood there while I drank it.” My mouth goes dry. “She wanted to see me drink it.”

Theo’s head snaps toward me so fast I almost wince. The speed of his reaction catches me off guard, but I don’t look away. I can’t. Not now.