LOGINDamon’s POVFor the first time in weeks, I wasn't working. No patrol reports, no council meetings, no elders trying to force decisions onto my desk. Just Aria.I had made that decision the night before and refused to let anything interfere with it, though unfortunately Aria was currently trying to.
Aria’s POVThe pounding on my door started before sunrise and at first, I thought I was dreaming so I buried my face deeper into my pillow, groaning as the knocking continued, louder this time and far more persistent."Aria!"My eyes snapped open. I knew that voice.Sitting up, I checked my phone. The bright screen nearly blinded me.5:12 AM.I stared at it in disbelief.Another round of pounding rattled the door."Aria, open this door!""Mira, can you get that?" I called out automatically before remembering she wasn't home. She had stayed overnight at the infirmary after yesterday's chaos.With a groan, I dragged myself across the apartment and yanked the door open.Immediately, I regretted it because Alina stood in the hallway looking as elegant as ever despite the ridiculous hour. Behind her were two older women carrying baskets filled with flowers, candles, folded fabrics, and bundles of herbs."Good morning, dear," Alina said brightly."It is five in the morning.""Exactly.""Nor
For a moment, he just stared at me then, slowly, his expression softened again, like he was slipping back into a version of himself that knew how to win me over.“You’re really choosing him,” he said quietly. “After everything I did for you?”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You didn’t do anythi
Aria’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, not peaceful—never peaceful—but had this kind of silence that felt forced, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. The smell of antiseptic was sharp enough to sting my nose the moment I stepped inside, and for a second I almost turned back.Almost
Aria's POVThe feeling wouldn't leave, it followed me through lunch, through the reports stacked on my desk, through every conversation I barely paid attention to and no matter how many times I reminded myself that Damon could handle himself, that he had survived far worse than a day spent with Kade
Aria’s POVSomething in me refused to settle and I know that it wasn’t exactly panic, but if it was, it wasn’t the mind that made you shake or lose breath. It was quieter than that, sharper too, like a thread pulled too tight under my skin, waiting to snap the moment I stopped paying attention. Dam
Aria’s POV“Let go,” I said again through clenched teeth, forcing my voice to remain steady even as his fingers bit deeper into my wrist. “You’re hurting me.”Kade’s grip did not loosen immediately. His jaw flexed, eyes burning with a temper he used to hide behind charm. Up close, I could see the fa
Aria’s POV"You need to eat."Mira shoved a plate of toast in front of me, but I pushed it away."I'm not hungry.""You look like a ghost," Mira said, sitting across from me at our small kitchen table. "A ghost with a very expensive scarf."She pointed her fork at my neck. I had wrapped a fresh sil
Aria’s POVThe air in the car was suffocating. It was warm, dry, and smelled entirely of him.Pine and spice. It was everywhere. It filled my nose and coated my tongue.Damon was leaning over the center console.His hand was inches from my neck and his eyes looked pitch black."Rain," he said again.
Aria’s POVThe archives were quiet and smelt of old books.I liked it. It felt safe and comforting.For the last four hours, I had been organizing files from fifty years ago.My hands were gray with dust, and my back ached, but I didn't stop.If I stopped, I would think and if I thought, I would rem







