“Sure thing, boss.” Finn’s voice is casual. His shoulders are rigid.
“With Torric.”
“Perfect. Love spending quality time with fire and fury.”
Kieran’s expression doesn’t shift. “Finn—”
“I’m fine.” The smile sharpens. “Really. Totally fine. Never better.”
Kieran looks like he wants to push. Instead, he just nods once and walks away.
Finn glances toward Kaia without meaning to.
I catch the slip. The way his gaze finds her automatically, like checking a compass. The way he forces himself to look away half a second later.
My shadows tighten.
Kaia stands and steps forward before anyone can settle into the plan. “As long as it’s while we’re moving.”
Kieran turns back, surprise flickering across his face. “Kaia—”
“Seren is still out there.” Her voice is steady, absolute. “We need to find her. And that means we keep moving.”
“We need rest,” Kieran says carefully. “The group needs—”
“No.” She cuts him off. “We’re moving. Pack up.”
The clearing goes quiet.
Kieran’s jaw tightens. He looks like he’s about to argue—ancient authority bristling against being overruled.
But Kaia doesn’t back down. Doesn’t soften. Just holds his gaze until something in his expression shifts.
“Fine,” he says finally. “We move at first light.”
“Now, it’s still morning,” Kaia corrects. “We’ve wasted enough time.”
Finn mutters under his breath—“Trouble”—but there’s something almost relieved in the way he says it. Like her pushing forward gives him permission to stop pretending he’s fine.
Kieran exhales slowly. Then nods once. Sharp. Final.
“Pack up,” he calls to the group.
Kaia eventually moves toward her bedroll, exhaustion catching up now that the decision’s been made. Finn moves toward her again, chaos magic sparking brighter as if responding to her proximity.
She sways. Just a little.
Finn’s hand snaps out before she falls, catching her elbow with precision that speaks to instinct, not thought.
She steadies. His hand withdraws instantly, like he touched fire.
“Thanks,” she says quietly.
“Yeah. Sure. No problem.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “You should rest. Before we go.”
“I will.”
“Good. That’s… good.”
