Nine had finally quieted in my arms.
His sobs had tapered off into the occasional shuddering breath, his face buried against my chest, skin warm and damp with the remnants of his tears. I could feel the weight of everything pressing down on him—everything he had endured, everything he believed about himself, and now… the fear of what might come next.
Nyx was pacing in my mind, uneasy and snarling quietly, her fur bristling at the thought of how close we'd come to losing him completely. But even she was subdued now, settling back on her haunches as I cradled Nine close.
We didn't have much time.
I waited until I felt his breath even out, until his body stopped trembling and some of that raw tension in his limbs began to ease. He was still clinging to me, small fists curled into the fabric of my shirt like I was the only thing tethering him to this world. Maybe I was.
I pressed a soft kiss to the crown of his silver-white head, just once.
Then I took a deep breath and said, as gently as I could, "Nine… there are going to be repercussions."
He stiffened.
I could feel his heartbeat pick up again, rapid and skittish beneath my hand. He didn't pull away, but his fingers clenched tighter, like he already knew what I was about to say and was bracing for it.
"They're not going to let this go," I said, voice low and even. "The fire alarm. Helping you through your heat. Disobeying a direct order. I crossed a line."
He lifted his head slowly, eyes wide and wet, his lip trembling again like the tears might start all over. "Are they going to hurt you?"
"I don't know." I didn't lie. I couldn't. "They might."
Nine opened his mouth, a protest building on his tongue, but I reached up and gently placed two fingers over his lips before he could speak.
"They might hurt you again too," I continued quietly. "They might punish both of us. Or worse."
His body sagged, and that light behind his eyes dimmed again, like I'd just confirmed his worst fears. He shook his head, panic bleeding into his expression. "No—no, I didn't mean for—Rhea, I didn't mean to get you in trouble. I didn't—"
"Stop," I whispered, brushing my thumb over his cheek. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"But if they hurt you—if they kill you—" His voice cracked, horror creeping into it. "I should've just endured it. I should've just waited. I shouldn't have—"
I pulled him closer before he could finish, wrapping him up in a firm embrace.
"You shouldn't have had to endure anything," I murmured into his hair. "None of this was ever your fault, Nine. Do you understand? This place is broken. Not you."
He was silent again, breathing uneven.
I knew he still didn't believe me. Not really. But I said it anyway.
"I'm going to try to get you out of here."
His breath caught. Slowly, he pulled back to look at me, his violet eyes searching my face like he couldn't quite comprehend what I was saying.
"What?"
"I don't know how yet," I admitted. "But I'll figure something out. I swear it."
His eyes welled up again, but he didn't cry. Not this time.
"You don't have to do that," he whispered.
"Yes," I said, brushing his bangs gently from his forehead. "I do."
He blinked at me for a moment, confused and soft, then leaned into my touch like he couldn't help himself. His voice was even smaller when he said, "But what if you can't?"
"Then we survive," I whispered. "Together. Whatever comes, we get through it. But you have to hold on for a little longer, Nine. Just a little bit longer. Can you do that for me?"
He hesitated, his lashes damp and spiky, and then gave a tiny nod.
I pressed my forehead to his, breathing him in, memorizing the shape of him in my arms, the feel of his warmth and scent. Nyx was silent, alert but still, watching over us both like a guardian wolf in the dark.
"I'll keep you safe," I whispered. "As long as I can."
Nine closed his eyes.
And in that moment, I think he believed me.