Meret walked out of the school building with her backpack slung over one shoulder and spotted Kael leaning against a sleek black car parked at the far left side of the lot. His posture was composed, one leg crossed over the other, eyes fixed on something distant that she couldn’t quite make out. The afternoon sun caught the sharp angles of his face, his presence striking even in stillness.

As she approached, Kael turned his head slightly—as though he had sensed her as she approached—and ...