But it presses on me, thick as fog.
I head for the door, looking out at the street. The sun is dropping behind the towers of Novaria, the sky gone gold bleeding into violet. The air smells like ozone and roasted street corn.
I have to get Vex. He’s safe at school, but suddenly that doesn’t feel safe enough.
I pull my jacket tighter around me and start walking. The pavement hums faintly beneath my boots.
When I get to the school, Vex is sitting on the low wall near the gate, swinging his legs, a holo of some cartoon flickering above his wrist. He’s humming—off-key and cheerful.
My heart clenches.
“Hey, baby,” I call softly.
He looks up, his grin instant and brilliant. “Mom!” He hops down and barrels toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I lift him up, breathing in the scent of soap and dust and the faint metallic tang that always seems to cling to him—like his father.
Gods, I can’t even think that without my throat closing.
“You okay?” he asks, peering up at me with those big, dark eyes.
“I’m fine.” The lie slides out easy. “Just missed you.”
He tilts his head. “Where’s Takhiss?”
The question hits me like a physical blow.
“He had some work to do,” I say, my voice steady. “Important work.”
We start walking home, his hand tucked in mine.
“You smell sad,” Vex says suddenly.
That stops me. “What?”
He wrinkles his nose. “Like when the rain hits the broken lights outside the garage. That smell.”
I force a laugh. “You and your nose.”
But he’s not wrong. I probably smell like burnt circuits and panic.
By the time we reach the garage apartment, the sky has turned a bruised blue. The lights inside are still on, illuminating the scattered tools. But Takhiss isn’t here.
The silence feels like frost creeping up my spine.
I lock the door behind us—triple lock. I check the window sensors.
“Can I watch a holo?” Vex asks.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
He bounds off toward the small couch. I watch him go, chest tight.
Then I pull out my compad again. Still no message.
I sink to the floor, leaning back against the cabinet. The hum of the city filters through the thin walls.
I picture Takhiss standing in front of Autrua. I picture her smiling that snake-smile. I picture him tearing the room apart.
Please be smart,I pray.Please be a father, not a soldier.
