22. Ten Days (Clay POV)

The second I saw them walking up together, a visceral sensation coursed through me, a feeling I'd never known. Every nerve ending in my body had been ignited, a volatile mixture of incredulity, fury, and something more complex. Jealousy? Betrayal? It was a heady brew, and it made me sick. I literally had to clench my fists to keep them from trembling.

My eyes glowed, an involuntary response to heightened emotion. The person I was talking to sensed the abrupt shift in my demeanor and took the cue to leave when I coughed and closed my eyes. I couldn't let them see what was bubbling just below the surface; it was too raw, too untamed. Too dangerous for the human world.

I led Lexi and Luke to the vault—the only appropriate place for this meeting. It was soundproof, which meant whatever confrontation was about to unfold wouldn't be overheard. Plus, the artwork and artifacts in this space were of such significant value that they served as a sobering reminder.

Tread carefully. No sudden mov