Velvet chains of winter

e never t

vements she could barely hear-footsteps soft against stone, the low murmur of voices carrie

dawn, heart racing

No shouting. No doors slamming. No sharp voices slicing thro

and padded tow

he gates, its headlights cuttin

ghtened h

The house felt different this morning-tense, alert

eep her hid

n's

be hidden," Kael repl

as added dryly, "d

at the corner,

d. "Maribel Vale contacted two externa

led slowl

eo muttered, "is goin

fore she could stop hers

s turne

in anger, but concern.

t in the dark," she sai

moment

ded once

ed for he

he explained calmly. "Not over you directly

estate," El

es

ed slightly. "So

finally cracking. He stopped himself, inhaled slowly

rt-but it al

" Elara said. "I'm ti

fully. "Bravery doesn

But I need to feel like

shifted in

," Elias murmured

him. "What ar

lara said. "H

nce

ael nodded

was heavy-and

Kael insisted she acco

hi

disg

si

as familiar streets passed by, fear curling in her

so

embling, Kael ordered coffee as if

e," Rowan muttere

aze. "Tell me if y

di

way, recognition flickering across he

r phone

own

ng behind him

ood ra

show Kael i

she str

pered to herse

the screen

the mess

ic

round him dropped

pected," he

e angry,"

tted. "Because t

cash on the table.

wailed faintly

owan confirmed what K

wan said grimly. "Surve

curled slowl

ds now,"

, fear and trust c

lowed to choos

r-but stopped at a

e said.

no

ething neither o

hed for

bar

fraction of a second before he gen

osses

cont

ida

t, Kael realized the tr

would cost him fa

cost hi

.