[Elena's POV]

The auditorium filled up faster than I expected.

Faculty in the front two rows, students fanning out behind them, a cluster of press photographers along the left wall with their lenses already aimed at the podium. All because Noah Marlowe's name was on the banner above my head.

I stood in the wings and watched the seats fill. Andrew materialized at my elbow, straightening his tie for the third time.

"Full house," he said, like he'd personally arranged it.

I watched a photographer ...