Rain didn't think twice—he just burst into Val's private room. His face was pale, laced with worry, a kind of worry that Val had probably only seen once before. His breath came in ragged gasps. He didn't bother knocking properly. This was an emergency.

Val was already on his feet. He had heard Rain's frantic footsteps and had sensed the wild fear pouring off him. He turned, his blue eyes ready to lash out at Rain for barging in like that.

But the words died in his throat as he truly looked ...