Page 31 of Veil of Ashes

I wonder if it’s selfish, keeping her this close. She’s a fighter, but she’s bleeding because of me, because of this war.

Letting go isn’t an option, though. Not now. The thought twists in me, a knot I can’t untie.

“You didn’t have to come,” she says, breaking the quiet. “Could’ve left me out there.”

“Not a chance,” I say, fast. “You’re in this with me.”

She looks down, fingers brushing my sleeve. “Guess I am.”

Her voice is soft, but it lands heavy.

I slide off the table, crouching to grab my bag. The gun’s still there, resting by my side. I set it close, within reach.

She watches me, eyes tracking every move. “You think they’re coming back?” she asks.

“Not tonight,” I say, settling beside her again. “But soon.”

She nods, accepting it.

The room’s stillness wraps around us. Dust settles slow, coating the table, the floor. Blood and roses linger in the air.

Her head tilts, resting near my shoulder. Not quite touching, but close. I feel the heat of her, the fight still in her.

“We’ll get him,” I say, voice low. “Rizzi’s done. I promise.”

She doesn’t reply. Just breathes, steady and alive. That’s enough for now.

I shift, sitting fully on the floor. The cracked tile bites into me, but I don’t care. She slides down too, wincing as she moves.

Her hand stays on me, gripping my sleeve tighter. I lean back against the table leg, gun at my side, ready.

The lamp hums on, faint but constant. Rain slows outside, a whisper now. Her breathing matches mine again, calm but heavy.

“You’ve got a hell of a punch,” I say, breaking the quiet. She snorts, soft and rough.

“Had to make sure it was you,” she replies. “Not taking chances.”

“Fair enough,” I say, grinning despite myself. “Next time, maybe warn me.”

“No promises,” she mutters, but her grip on me softens. The tension eases, just a fraction.

We sit there, side by side. The safehouse feels less like a tomb now, more like a pause between battles.

The mission’s still there, burning in me. But she’s more than that now. I can’t untangle it, don’t want to.

Is it selfish to keep her close? Maybe. But she’s not letting go either. That’s the line we’re walking.

The rain fades to nothing, leaving just the hum of the lamp. I settle in, gun ready, her beside me.

But I know better. The real one was still coming—and we are in its eye.

Chapter 10 – Sylvara

It’s been two days since Kieran dragged me bleeding into that safehouse. My thigh’s stitched tight now, healing clean, and the bruises on my ribs have faded to a dull ache. I’m back in my apartment above the dive bar, early evening light spilling weak through the blinds.

The room sits tense, cluttered with chaos. A green desk lamp throws sharp shadows across the walls, half-lighting the mess of papers and tech strewn over the table.

Wires twist like veins, some soldered fresh, others frayed. The air smells of burnt metal and suspicion, thick and stinging. I sit at the desk, alone, fingers itching.

---