“You said you’d follow me anywhere,” I say quietly.
Kieran inhales.
I watch it happen—the shift.
His shoulders drop. His magic settles. His eyes go soft in a way that makes my chest hurt.
He steps toward me but stops himself before he gets too close.
Giving me the space I need. Even now.
“I did,” he says. “And I meant it. If you’re ready… then I’m ready.”
I nod. “Then let’s go find her.”
He gives me a small smile.
It’s the first real one I’ve seen in a long time. It lights up his entire face and does something to my insides I am not ready for.
“I’ll alert the others. We leave at dawn.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He hears everything I’m not saying.
Then he turns and walks back toward the house.
I watch him go.
Something settles in my chest.
This time I’m not running scared. I’m not shoving my way forward because I can’t stand still.
This time I do it right.
And Kieran’s following because he wants to. Not because he feels like he has to.
My shadows curl around my ankles. Quiet and steady.
We’re not running toward danger this time.
We’re doing what needs to be done. And we’re doing it together.
Chapter 18
Kaia
The village hall is warm and smells like bread and woodsmoke.
It’s strange how normal it feels. How safe. Like we’re not sitting in the middle of a corrupted realm with monsters pressing against the wards. Like this is just… dinner.
Bob stations himself by the door, posture rigid, while Finnick lounges along a ceiling beam pretending this is all normal. Patricia hovers near my shoulder, notebook at the ready like she’s expecting minutes to be taken.
I take my seat at the long table, and the others settle around me. Torric on my left, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating off him. Aspen across from me, calm and watchful. Malrik at the far end, eyes already tracking the room.
Finn beside him, present but quiet.
Too quiet.
