She’s extraordinary like that.
There’s a quiet strength in Keira that most people would miss if they weren’t paying attention. I know she’s going to do something remarkable with her life once she’s through this. She’s too bright not to.
Watching her say goodbye to Raoul was unexpectedly sweet. They’ve formed something solid in all of this chaos. It’s subtle, but it’s there, and I know he’s been in constant contact with her since we left.
As for the outside world? It didn’t take long for the press to get hold of what happened to me. The headlines were brutal at first, invasive and relentless, but the sympathy wave that followed only amplified our reach. Ticket sales surged, streams spiked, and the Luminatis rallied hard.
Meanwhile,Swift Divisionimploded almost overnight.
Jett has been shredded in the media. More women have come forward with allegations about drinks he handed them and the blackouts that followed. Then there’s the knife incident with Cooper. It’s a legal hurricane, and he’s standing right in the center of it. He didn’t make bail, which means he’s sitting in a cell until trial, and multiple restraining orders have been issued.
I won’t pretend I’m upset about that.
If I never see him again, it’ll be too soon.
Health-wise, I feel good. Not invincible, not like I was pre-coma, but there’s still a difference in my stamina, a slight edge of fatigue that creeps in if I push too hard. Before we relaunched the tour, we did a string of rehearsal shows to test my limits. Quiet venues with controlled crowds and safety nets everywhere.
I handled them.
No dizziness.
No crashes.
No scary moments.
Dr. Wakefield suggested we adjust the set list, so we added more ballads, giving me breathing space between the high-energy tracks, and I’ve learned to pace myself now. Some nights I perch on a stool near Alana’s DJ deck, other nights I sit on the front speakers, swinging my boots over the edge while the crowd sings back to me.
It’s different.
But it works.
And the fans are loving it.
Our return has been explosive in the best way. We’ve been making up for the canceled dates, andFort Afflictionhas been killing it as our support act. The guys are professional, easygoing, and drama-free—a complete contrast toSwift Division.
It’s refreshing.
Right now, we’re at an after-party, and the energy is electric. The crew looks lighter and relieved, like we all survived something together.
The Luminatis are packed onto the dance floor, wild and glowing under the club lights—Kristy’s nowhere to be seen, as usual. Casey has swapped substances for roller skates and is weaving through the crowd like a chaotic disco fairy. I can’t evenbe mad about it because she’s laughing, genuinely happy, and that feels like a win.
I sit back in the booth and take it all in.
Alana and Luke are hunched over a camera in the opposite corner, already curating shots for the website. Andi and Tank are at the bar, and Raoul and Cooper stand at the VIP entrance, vigilant but relaxed.
Everything feels… aligned.
Like the universe finally eased up on us.
I let out a slow, contented sigh and sink deeper into the high-backed seat.
Mercs’ hand slides up my thigh, and it leaves a tingle in its wake. “How are you feeling?” he asks quietly.
I turn toward him, unable to hide my grin. “Amazing. Honestly, I’m on a high. Performing tonight felt incredible… it’s felt incredible all month. Everyone’s slipping back into tour life like we never left. I’m just… happy.”
And that word feels big in my chest.
He smiles, pride clear in his eyes. “You’re getting stronger every day.” His thumb strokes a lazy path over my leg. “And I’m not going to lie, I’ve missed being in the rafters and watching you from above.” His gaze drops slightly. “It’s sexy.”
