an eerie glow over the three figures who sat in tense silence. The scent of antiseptic and steril

ld. Xavier leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he stared d

he had endured. And yet, as much as Lucinda had despised her, she couldn't d

e was the

s hand, the screen dimmed but t

d don't look for him

reat was crystal clear. Whoever had Daniel was

't just some random attack. This is calculated. Someone wants to cont

alization had seeped into her bones. "We can't just ignore

e leading whoever did this straight to us. We don't even know what Maya kno

stration. "Then we find out. We wait until

e settled betw

cing a comforting hand on his. "We'll figure

er hers in a slow, comforting motion. His eyes softened for the first

looking at her with something deeper t

ugh it didn't quite reach h

shaking his head. "You

t before she could respond,

er romantic tension is happening

ay from Atticus, though a hint of warmth linge

igure out who sent that message. Second, we need t

sharply. "Whic

r chair, rubbing her temp

etween them. "We prepare

That

sisted Lucinda stay the night, claiming it was safer after the night's events. Xavier

hed glass of wine on the table. Atticus sat beside her, his posture slightly more

p, you know," Lucinda sai

the cushions. "Like I'm going to sl

re saying, "You could

her, his gaze lingering. "You alway

ged. "It's ju

't have to carry everything alone, Lucinda." His voice was softer now, the rou

is scent intoxicating. She could see the sincerity in

"You don't have to carry

to say something else, but instead, he reached u

hed between them,

buzzed on the table, s

f them

kly, her heart pounding

e. Stop looking for him. T

Just a message dri

, reading over her should

hard. "And they're

ching into a fist. "Let them w

rmination shining in her e

game had already begun. And neit

move now ,they a