LOCATION: Vairo Safehouse – Infirmary

TIME: 6:03 p.m.

Lucien slept like a soldier.

One hand curled near the pistol under his pillow.

Even in unconsciousness, he didn’t look peaceful.

He looked ready.

Ember sat by his bedside, fingers resting lightly on the bandage across his ribs.

She’d sewn him shut.

Stitched him together while something in her had started quietly… unraveling.

It began an hour ago.

After burning Rafael’s override, Ember told herself there was ...