Page 85 of Celestial Combat

We followed, stepping into the vast foyer of the mansion. The interior was as grand as ever – dark wood paneling, high ceilings, and an open floor plan that led into the various wings of the estate. Shoji doors lined the hallways, and the faint scent of cedar and jasmine lingered in the air.

The moment we crossed the threshold, another presence emerged from the hallway.

Maya Su.

Kali’s mother swept toward us with the kind of grace that came naturally to her, her kimono-style silk robe flowing around her.

“Kali, darling,” She breathed, reaching for her daughter’s face, her fingers hovering just before they made contact, as if checking for unseen wounds. “You’re hurt.”

Kali sighed, but there was affection in it. “I’m fine, mami.”

“Come on, sweetheart. You need to see the doctor.”

Kali groaned. “Really? Right now?”

“Yes, right now.”

I watched as Kali hesitated for half a second, then resigned herself with a quiet exhale.

But just before she followed her parents down the long hallway, she glanced over her shoulder at me.

It was only for a second, but it was enough.

Enough for me to catch the flicker of something unspoken in her dark eyes.

And enough for me to feel the pull, that same quiet gravity, anchoring me to her.

The echo of footsteps faded as Kali disappeared down the long hallway with her parents, leaving the foyer silent.

Trevor was still standing there, watching them go, his posture rigid – arms crossed over his chest, jaw tight.

I already knew what was coming.

I could feel it in the way his energy shifted, in the tension rolling off him like a slow-burning fuse.

Sure enough, the second the last of their footsteps faded, he turned to me.

“We need to talk.”

Earlier that morning

I had been awake long before Kali.

She was still sleeping when my phone buzzed on the nightstand, the early morning light creeping in through the grand windows.

I glanced at her, peaceful, curled slightly on her side, before quietly slipping out of bed and grabbing my phone.

Trevor.

I stepped out of the room, answering as I walked toward the kitchen.

“You with Kali?”

I already knew where this was going. “Yeah. She’s still sleeping.”

There was a pause. Not long, but pointed.

“Where’d you take her?”

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