~ Author ~

The cafe is silent. Three shadows, tall and carved from something older than rules, stand around Adeline's table like they were summoned by the soft dip of her pulse. Cassian still holds her wrist, thumb brushing the rune-etched bracelet as if the silver itself betrayed her exhaustion. Uriel is crouched beside her, warm eyes scanning her face for something she won't admit. Ronan blocks the aisle completely, a wall of muscle and irritated protectiveness.

Isla sees all this and goes ...