Kael hit send, the report vanishing into the encrypted channel before he slipped his phone back into his pocket. Another night, another near-death encounter, he thought, rubbing a thumb over his temple. His gaze drifted toward Lucian, who stood several feet awayβbeautiful even in exhaustion, commanding even in the chaos left behind.
Lucianβs hand rested gently on the neck of one of the shaken villagers, his expression warm, reassuringβ¦ yet the glow in his eyes revealed the power beneath. Hi