“Percival.” Lucian’s voice carried a warning.
Mira’s gaze shifted to him. A silent conversation passed between them, one I couldn’t quite read. Those two had their own language, built from all the things neither of them would say out loud.
“What do you need?” Lucian asked.
She stared at us for a long moment. I watched her eyes move from Lucian to Solomon to me. This woman was too smart for her own good.
“Nothing,” she finally said. Her voice was careful, measured. “Just bored. I’ll leave you to your conversation. Seems important.”
She stepped back, hand moving to close the door.
“Mira.”
Lucian’s voice stopped her. She paused, half-turned, waiting.
“You know I told you that you can just ask us, right?”
She turned fully then and met his gaze. Held it with a weight that made the room go still.
“I know,” she said.
The door clicked shut.
Silence filled the space she’d left behind. Loaded with everything we weren’t saying.
“She doesn’t fully trust us to tell the truth,” Lucian said quietly.
No one disagreed.
***
The day dragged on after that.
I headed to my shift at the station while Lucian and Solomon stayed back to guard Mira. Today wasn’t my turn to stay, which meant eight hours of restless energy and clock-watching while my mind circled back to our problems.
By the time I got home, my muscles ached and my head was pounding and all I wanted was a shower and maybe twelve hours of sleep.
Mira was curled up on the couch when I walked in, reading on the tablet Solomon had bought her the other day. She looked up when the door opened.
“Long day?” she asked.
“The longest.” I managed a tired smile. “I’m going to shower. Have you eaten yet?”
“Yes. You should go rest.”
Lucian and Solomon were already pulling on their jackets by the door, ready to head out now that I was back. Lucian gave me a look that said we’ll talk later before they disappeared into the night. I gave Mira a small wave before trudging upstairs, peeling off my gear as I went.
I headed for the shower. A sound from the bedroom made my ears prick up.
Rustling. Soft footsteps.
Someone was in my room. I could smell her scent right away.
I paused and listened to her.What is she doing now?
There was shuffling outside and I realized she was looking for something. She was probably waiting for this. For the two serious and stricter guards that were Lucian and Solomon to leave.
Hm, she thinks it’ll be easier to sneak behind me, huh? Well, one guard is easier I guess.
