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She smiled. “I’m serious.”

“That seems insufficient.”

“Veyr.”

“Yes?”

“Your mother is not going to care whether your opening statement is tactically efficient.”

I considered that. “No.”

“She’s going to care that you’re alive.”

My throat tightened. “Right.”

After a moment, she asked, “Do you want me there?”

For eight years, I had handled everything alone because alone meant no one else became collateral. No one saw what I could not carry. No one could leave if I never let them close enough to stay.

I looked back at her. “Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

She moved closer. “Then I’ll be there.”

I believed her. That was still new.

I reached across the bed for the identification credential and turned it over once in my hand.

VEYR

No operational designation.

No death classification.

No Ghost.

I set it beside the bed.

Talia rested her head against me again.

I wrapped my arm around her.

The door remained behind us.

For once, I did not need to face it.

Tomorrow, my mother would learn I was alive.

My sister would learn she had a brother again.

And I would have to discover what came after surviving.

I was afraid.

I wanted it anyway.