The air in the room dropped without warning. A chill settled between them before anyone spoke.
Aria let her hand drop, the phone sliding down inch by inch.
Shaking took hold of her fingers. A quiet tremor ran through her palms.
Kael immediately noticed.
Kael:
Fingers trembling, Aria worked to keep her words even.
Aria:
Leo frowned.
Leo:
Aria nodded.
Aria:
Frowning took hold of Kael's face without delay.
Kael:
Aria moved her head from side to side.
Aria:
A spark cracked between his hands. The air jumped. His eyes lit up. A beat passed. Then everything changed.
Leo:
Kael didn’t respond.
Yet stillness spoke louder than words ever could.
Aria’s eyes widened.
Aria:
Into the quiet space she stood, Kael moved. Quiet steps carried him closer.
It came out steady, yet unyielding.
Kael:
Aria's gut twisted tight. Her breath caught low. The floor seemed to slide sideways. A cold hush filled her chest. Everything paused, just then.
Aria:
Kael fixed his eyes on her without blinking.
Kael:
Leo muttered quietly.
Leo:
Aria dragged her fingers up into her hair.
Aria:
Kael reached for his coat.
Aria:
Kael:
Leo blinked.
Leo:
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Kael moved toward the door before anyone noticed.
Kael:
________________________________________
Outside Orion Headquarters
Suddenly, drops began to patter down. A soft hush settled over the ground as water touched soil.
Footsteps pounding, Aria stayed close behind Kael.
Aria:
Kael stopped walking.
Into her direction his body shifted.
His expression serious.
Kael:
She hesitated.
Aria:
Kael kept his eyes on her.
A flicker of doubt crossed his face. Then it was gone.
Softly, he spoke next -
Kael:
Aria stood there, words failing her completely.
Outside the doorway at their backs, Leo stretched forward.
Leo:
Kael stood still, not facing it at all.
Kael:
Leo sighed.
Leo:
________________________________________
Inside the Car
Fog rolled in as the miles passed. Silence sat heavy between us. The road stretched ahead under gray light.
Faint drops kissed the glass, one after another.
Aria stared out the window.
A momentary look passed from Kael to her. He turned his eyes away just as fast.
Kael:
She sighed.
Aria:
Kael smirked slightly.
Kael:
Aria groaned.
Aria:
A laugh escaped Kael, brief but clear.
Then the tightness inside the vehicle began to ease.
Yet the moment slipped away fast.
Fingers twitched toward the pocket just as the ringtone sliced through the quiet.
She answered immediately.
Aria:
Quiet cracks ran through his words. A tightness sat high in his throat when he spoke.
Rohan (on phone):
Aria lifted herself into a seated position. She held her back stiff, eyes forward.
Aria:
Rohan:
Fingers of Kael's curled a little more around the wheel. The grip shifted without sound, just pressure building slow beneath his palms.
Rohan:
Aria swallowed.
Aria:
A silence fell between them. Then nothing moved.
Out of nowhere, her brother spoke a sentence that froze her chest.
Rohan:
Kael’s jaw tightened.
Aria:
She hung up.
The car sat without sound once more.
Aria:
Kael spoke quietly.
Kael:
Her eyes met his. A pause followed. Then silence filled the space between them.
Kael:
Aria frowned.
Aria:
For a moment, Kael stayed silent. Then words didn't come right away.
He stopped the vehicle abruptly - no warning, just wheels cutting sideways across pavement.
Aria blinked.
Aria:
Kael shifted his gaze in her direction.
His expression serious.
Kael:
Aria folded her arms tight across her chest.
Aria:
Kael eased into the chair, tipping it backward.
Kael:
Aria:
Kael:
Aria:
Kael turned his gaze straight toward her.
Kael:
He paused.
Kael:
Her eyes stayed fixed on his face. He did not look away.
Then slowly smiled.
Kael looked confused.
Kael:
Aria shrugged.
Aria:
Kael blinked.
Aria let the chair tilt backward.
Aria:
Kael studied her.
He gave a small shake of his head.
Kael:
The engine turned over once more.
Kael:
Aria grinned.
Aria:
They continued driving.
A shadow rolled behind, unseen by either.
A glance at the mirror changed everything. Then Kael froze behind the wheel.
Right then, his face shifted. A different look took hold without delay.
Aria noticed.
Aria:
Kael’s voice dropped.
Kael:
Aria began to pivot, movement measured. Her back faced forward now, shift complete.
Far back, a dark-coloured SUV followed close. Behind them it stayed, steady without rushing.
Maintaining precisely that gap between them.
Blood moved fast through her chest.
Aria:
Kael eased into the gas.
A moment passed, then the SUV came right behind. It moved without delay.
Kael sighed.
Kael:
Ahead of it, their vehicle saw the one trailing lurch forward without warning.
Filled the gap between them.
Fast.
