CHAPTER 26 – SMOKE AND MIRRORS

It started with silence.

Zelda sat in her studio corner, working on a new project brief, but her mind kept skipping. Over Lucien's hand brushing hers in the kitchen. Over Cassian's eyes in the dark, the way they looked at her like she was worth staying for.

She was building foundations on paper — and watching cracks form in real life.

Her phone buzzed.

Ariyah:

> Are you coming to the art crawl later?

They're giving away sketchbooks, girl. You know I'm weak.

Zelda smiled.

Zelda:

> I'll meet you there.

---

The evening sky had just started turning velvet when Zelda reached the campus plaza. Fairy lights wrapped the trees, art booths stretched along the walkways, and laughter echoed between buildings.

She found Ariyah by a mural wall, already with paint on her fingers.

"You're early," Zelda said, grinning.

"I bribed the volunteers," Ariyah replied. "With muffins. Don't judge me."

They wandered booth to booth — Zelda picking out a hand-bound sketchbook, Ariyah collecting pins for her already-chaotic tote.

But then… a shift.

A group of students started a bit too long.

A whisper zipped past Zelda's ear: "That's the girl, right? The one Lucien drops off?"

Another voice: "Did you hear about her roommate? That Ariyah girl?"

Zelda turned, sharp and quiet.

They looked away.

But it was already too late.

---

Back at the mansion, Lucien was in the garage, going over something on his laptop, when he heard a car pull up. Zelda climbed out of the front seat — someone else had driven her back.

She looked tired.

He met her at the door.

"Where's Ariyah?"

Zelda blinked. "She went home early. She was quiet all night."

Lucien stepped aside, letting her in. "Because of the rumors?"

Zelda looked at him. "You heard, too?"

"Marcella brought it up."

Of course she did.

Zelda's chest tightened. "She doesn't stop."

Lucien didn't speak. Just walked over and handed her something from the entry table — a set of fine pencils, still wrapped.

"I saw them in the city yesterday. Thought you might need them."

Zelda stared at him.

"This is… thoughtful."

Lucien shrugged. "Don't get used to it."

But he didn't move away.

Neither did she.

The space between them was too still. Too quiet.

"I think I'm falling for you," Zelda whispered.

Lucien closed his eyes like it hurt to hear.

"I know."

---

Upstairs, Marcella pressed a folder into Marie's hands.

"What's this?" Marie asked.

"Just some photos. Notes. A few screenshots from a student board."

Marie's brow furrowed as she flipped through the contents. They were images of Ariyah — blurry, clearly taken without her knowing. One was from outside the studio. One… from a cafe near Zelda's campus.

"What is this, Marcella?"

"Proof. That something's off with her. She's too close. Too fast. And people are saying things."

Marie looked up, expression unreadable. "And you just happened to collect this?"

"I care," Marcella said smoothly. "Zelda's always trusted too quickly."

Marie didn't respond.

But her fingers were tense on the folder.

---

Zelda stared at the walls of her room.

The silence was getting heavier.

Her phone buzzed again.

Cassian:

> Rooftop. If you need air.

She went.

He was already there, of course — sprawled in one of the old chairs, sleeves rolled up, music humming from his speaker. Something mellow. Almost sad.

"I needed this," she said.

"I know," he replied. "I felt it."

Zelda sat beside him.

"I think everyone's turning against her," she whispered. "And Marcella's behind it. I can feel it."

Cassian nodded. "Because Ariyah's real. And real people scare liars."

Zelda turned to him. "You always say the right thing."

"No," he said softly. "I just say what I mean."

She looked away — but he didn't.

"I'm not like Lucien," Cassian continued. "I don't hide behind silence."

Zelda said nothing.

He reached out, touching her wrist gently.

"I see you, Zel. Not the girl they expect. The one that builds walls taller than her dreams. The one that keeps choosing people who can't choose her back."

Zelda's throat tightened.

"Is that what I'm doing?" she whispered.

Cassian leaned in — just slightly. The air around them changed.

"I don't know. But if you kissed me right now, I wouldn't stop you."

She almost did.

Almost.

But her phone buzzed again.

Marie:

> Come to my study. We need to talk.

The moment shattered.

Cassian leaned back. "Rain check?"

Zelda smiled sadly. "Maybe."

---

In Marie's study, the lights were low.

Zelda walked in and found the folder on the desk before her mother even said a word.

"What's this?" she asked.

"Marcella gave it to me."

Zelda picked it up. Flipped through it.

Photographs. Screenshots. Words with no evidence and too much weight.

"She's not dangerous," Zelda said.

"I believe you," Marie replied. "But Marcella believes in herself. And soon, others might too."

Zelda dropped the folder. "Then shut her down."

"It's not that simple," Marie said. "Marcella's father is still tied to the family. Politically. Financially."

"So you'll let her poison everything?"

Marie stood. Walked to Zelda. Rested her hands on her daughter's arms.

"You have to protect yourself. And Ariyah. This won't stop until something gives."

Zelda nodded — but inside, she was already done folding.

---

That night, Zelda stood outside Marcella's door.

She didn't knock.

She just opened it.

Marcella looked up from her vanity, perfectly composed.

"Well," she said. "Didn't expect you tonight."

Zelda stepped inside.

"You don't get to play with people's lives."

Marcella rose. "I'm protecting you."

"No," Zelda said, eyes cold. "You're terrified. That someone real might finally be closer to me than you ever were."

Marcella laughed, quiet and brittle. "She doesn't belong here."

"Neither did I," Zelda snapped. "But I made a place anyway."

She stepped closer.

"I'm not scared of you anymore."

Marcella tilted her head. "Maybe you should be."

Zelda smiled.

"No. I think it's you who should be scared."

She turned and walked out, fire in her steps.

Marcella stared after her, finally… shaken.