Instead of pushing air in, it yanks it out—hard.
The curtains snap inward. Papers flutter. The sweet chemical smell thins abruptly as the system begins vacuuming the room like a lung coughing.
Jordan grabs my wrist and hauls me toward the bathroom. “Move!”
We slam the bathroom door shut behind us.
Inside, the air is cooler, cleaner, and the faint scent of soap punches through like relief. Jordan coughs once, wiping hereyes, then plants both palms on the bathroom sink as if bracing herself.
“You just reversed the airflow,” I say, staring at her.
She coughs again, then glares. “Yes.”
“That’s insane,” I tell her.
“I’m aware,” she snaps. “But I’d like to not be unconscious on your carpet while your enemies do a little light murder.”
I press my ear to the bathroom door.
Outside, I hear the suite door open—finally.
Footsteps. Soft. Controlled. Two, maybe three sets.
Then Fyr’s voice, closer now, muffled through the door.
“Lonari,” he calls, still smooth. “Come on. This is embarrassing.”
Jordan looks at me, eyes bright with adrenaline.
I tilt my head slightly. “Stay here.”
“No,” she whispers immediately.
I give her a look.
She exhales. “Fine. But if you die out there, I’m not carrying your huge body anywhere, so don’t.”
Despite everything, I almost laugh.
I crack the bathroom door open a fraction and step out.
The suite is dim now—emergency lighting only, red strips glowing along the baseboards, painting everything in a blood-colored wash. The air is thinner, the gas mostly pulled out, but it still lingers in faint sweetness at the back of my throat.
Two figures stand near the entrance.
Kaijen suits. Weapons visible.
And Fyr.
He’s taller than most, lean, dressed impeccably, hair slicked back like he’s headed to a board meeting instead of a murder. His smile is perfect, and his eyes are dead.
“Boss,” he says, spreading his hands like we’re old friends. “There you are.”
I step forward slowly, keeping my body between them and the bathroom door.
“What are you doing in my suite?” I ask.
Fyr’s smile doesn’t falter. “Kel asked for the human. I’m making it easy.”
