Mag-log inFor a beat, no one spoke. Then, he lowered Kaelani gently until her feet touched the ground, but he didn’t let go—his fingers slipping into hers, holding on like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kaelani’s gaze dropped to their hands. The contact stilled something inside her. No one ha
“You do.” He let his gaze drop—just for a second—to the space between them, the inches that still separated them. Then back to her. “But I meant it when I said I’d never leave you again… that was real.” A brief pause—not for effect, but because he meant it. “Not when it’s hard. Not when it’s me
Kaelani’s smile hit him harder than anything else had. For the first time, it was meant for him. Julian stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him and shutting out everything beyond it—the chaos, the noise, all of it. In here— was his peace. His heart. His whole world. He move
The room. The light. The faces. A breath caught in his chest. “Kaelani…?” His focus sharpened. His room. His packhouse. Familiar walls and scent. But something was wrong. His gaze moved quickly—his mother at his side, Jace by the window. No Kaelani. Julian pushed himself upright, pain tear
She didn’t look at him. “Julian Hale… fugitive status removed.” Another keystroke. “Jace Romano… fugitive status removed.” Her fingers paused for a fraction of a second before continuing. “Garrick Blake… charges dropped.” A quiet tap followed. “Release scheduled for… tomorrow morning.” Then—
A brief pause. “Am I wrong?” Councilor Voss didn’t answer. He simply watched her for a moment longer before speaking. “What is it that you want?” Kaelani held the room for a moment. “What I wanted the day I stood before you in the Chamber of Elders,” she said. “What I asked for then.” “To liv
Julian looked back, his expression taut with equal parts tension and gratitude. “Thank you,” he said, sincerely. “For everything.” He turned to Jace, eyes sharp behind the lenses. “It’s not too late to back out, you know.” Jace snorted, rolling his shoulders as he stepped up beside him. “And miss
His gaze flicked to Jace, then back again. “Your mind will play tricks on you. That’s its nature. But if something doesn’t make sense…” “…then it isn’t real,” Jace finished. Julian nodded grimly. “Not real.” A sudden mechanical whir shattered the stillness. The rear cargo hatch began to open wi
By the time the sun had long crested the horizon, both men stood near the base of the stairs—geared up in black-on-black tactical wear designed for endurance and survival, reinforced at the joints, padded where it counted. Julian adjusted the weight of his bag and glanced toward the hallway, where
Kaelani woke with a gasp, the dream clinging to her like fog—his scent still lingering, pain hollowing her chest. For a moment, she didn’t move. Her hands gripped the sheets, her throat tight with the words she hadn’t spoken. Her lashes fluttered. A tear slipped down her temple, soaking into the pi







