Merlin felt it all like tension in the air before a storm.
He was in the archive wing when the second summons came.
This one wasn't sealed. It wasn't secretive. It came in the form of a junior instructor approaching him directly, expression carefully neutral, eyes avoiding his.
"Everhart," the man said. "Headmistress Morgana requests your attendance at the council chamber. Immediately."
The word council changed things. Very much.
Merlin closed the tome he'd been pretending to read and rose smoothly. "Of course."
Elara, seated across from him, looked up sharply. "Now?"
"Yes," the instructor replied before Merlin could answer.
Merlin met her gaze and gave a small nod. Not reassurance. Just acknowledgment.
"I'll be back," he said.
She didn't smile. "I know."
