Mila didn't run to Kade, because running tends to betray panic before mind can organize message, and she needed each word to have enough weight to pierce his defenses without being confused with exaggeration or hasty alarm. Still, body moved with contained urgency, steps too firm for someone trying to seem calm, breathing adjusted to rhythm not natural, but necessary to sustain what was about to be said.

Kade was in side hall when she entered, discussing routes and reports with two ...