Page 45 of Siren Problems
I get it.
He’s scared. Cursed. Traumatized.
But I’m scared too.
And I’mstillhere.
Kai rubs my shoulder. “You love him.”
I swallow hard. “I think I do.”
Mira’s voice is quieter. “And you’re scared he’ll never let himself be loved.”
That hits harder than anything else.
Because maybe that’s the truth I’ve been avoiding in all this research and glyph-work and magical busywork.
Maybe Calder doesn’t need saving.
Maybe he doesn’twantto be saved.
Maybe I’m just another woman trying to pour sunlight into someone who’s already decided he belongs in the dark.
And gods, I don’t know if I have the strength to keep reaching for him...
If he keeps backing away.
I’m halfwayto the exit when I hear her name.
Luna.
My spine locks up like I’ve just touched live leywire.
“She’s considering it,” someone says, just behind the curtain that separates the bar’s main room from the back alcove. The voice is sharp. Familiar.
Council envoy. Juno.
“I heard she’s applying for the Westwind Fellowship. Full funding. Artifact authority. Field access beyond the Bluffs.”
I step closer, staying just in the shadows.
“She’ll leave,” Juno adds. “Once the grant comes through. Can’t blame her. No real future here. Especially withhimhanging around.”
My stomach drops.
“She’s the best we’ve had in two decades,” someone else says. “We can’t stop her. We shouldn’t.”
Laughter.
Agreement.
And then the sound fades as they move deeper into the alcove, taking their drinks and their casual dismantling of my entire fucking world with them.
I stand, anchored to the floor like something ancient and immovable.
She’s leaving.
Not maybe.
