POV: Saval
The clock showed almost one in the morning when the phone vibrated on my nightstand. Who calls at this hour? I sat up halfway, my heart racing. It was Mia.
—Mia? —I answered quietly so as not to wake Semiel, who was sleeping beside me.
—Saval, sorry for the hour —her voice sounded tense—. We need to talk.
A knot formed in my stomach. —Did something happen?
—Yes. David and I went to the café… we talked to Xavier. He's playing with something I don't like. We think Santiago is close by.
Santiago again. A chill ran down my spine. —What exactly did Xavier say?
—That chaos has its charm. That maybe he'd warn us if something happens. Nothing concrete, but… —Mia sighed—. I feel like he knows more than he's saying.
I looked at Semiel, his breathing calm, his arm brushing against mine. I can't let anything happen to him.
—Thanks for telling me —I replied—. I'll tell Semiel tomorrow.
—Be careful about it. And please, don't stay alone for too long.
—I promise. Goodnight, Mia.
I hung up, but I couldn't lie back down. I stayed sitting up, the darkness of the room feeling heavier than usual. Santiago… if you're really here, I won't let you hurt us.
Semiel stirred, half asleep. —Everything okay?
—Yes, just… a phone call —I stroked his hair—. Go back to sleep, love.
He murmured something unintelligible and drifted back to sleep. I, on the other hand, remained on alert. Xavier enjoys the game. Santiago wants revenge. But this time they won't catch us by surprise.
The silence of the early morning seemed to whisper a single truth: the peace we had was about to shatter, and I had to be ready to protect what I loved most.