“Did he touch you?”
“Yes,” I admit. “But I got free.”
“He shouldn’t have gotten that close.”
“He didn’t get what he wanted,” I counter.
“That’s not the point.”
“It is,” I say firmly. “He failed.”
Archer studies me. Then nods once.
“You did good,” he says.
The words hit harder than they should. Because I know what almost happened. And so does he.
“He’s not done,” I add quietly.
“No,” Archer agrees. “He’s not.”
The alarm still echoes faintly in the background. Outside, I can hear movement—shifters locking down the area, securingthe perimeter. Too late for Felix. But not for what comes next. I meet Archer’s gaze.
“He wasn’t just trying to grab me,” I say. “He was confirming something.”
Archer’s eyes narrow. “What?”
“That I matter,” I say.
Silence settles between us. Heavy. Certain. Then Archer exhales slowly.
“That makes you a target,” he says.
“I already was,” I reply.
Now it’s just confirmed. I straighten slightly, ignoring the lingering tremor in my arm.
“We don’t have time to fall apart over this,” I say. “The attack’s still happening.”
Archer hesitates. Then nods.
“You’re staying here,” he says.
“I’m coordinating from here,” I correct.
His gaze holds mine. Then, reluctantly, he steps back.
“Call if anything changes,” he says.
“I will.”
He turns and disappears just as quickly as he arrived. And just like that, I’m back in the center. The node. The anchor. Only now I know exactly how visible that makes me. I pick up my phone again. Steady. Focused. Unshaken. Even if it’s not entirely true.
“Alright,” I say into the channel. “Status updates. All units.”
Because if they’re coming for me?—
Then I make damn sure they have to go through the entire town to get there.
