The inn grew quieter as night settled over the city.
Lanterns dimmed.
Footsteps faded.
But Kael didn't relax.
Lira lay beside him on the narrow bed, eyes closed, breathing slow but not asleep.
"Kael…" she whispered.
"I can feel the city."
He felt it too.
Through the bond, emotions brushed against them like passing shadows.
Fear.
Greed.
Curiosity.
Cities never sleep, his intent replied.
The Seer sat near the window, watching the street below.
"Tonight is dangerous," he said quietly.
"Collectors move at night. So do the heir's listeners."
Lira sat up slightly.
"Should we leave now?"
The Seer shook his head.
"Running in the dark makes noise.
Waiting makes less."
Kael's jaw tightened.
Waiting lets others move first.
The Seer met his eyes.
"Yes. That is the risk."
Outside, a soft sound echoed
boots on stone.
Then another.
Lira's heart jumped.
Kael felt it instantly and placed his hand over hers.
Easy.
The footsteps passed.
Silence returned.
Minutes stretched.
Then
A sharp pull hit the bond.
Not painful.
Sudden.
Lira gasped softly.
"Kael—someone touched it."
He stood instantly.
The Seer turned.
"Where?"
Lira closed her eyes.
"Below us. The street.
They're… testing again."
Kael moved to the window slowly and looked down.
Two figures stood across the road.
Not hiding.
Waiting.
The Seer's voice dropped.
"They want you to come out."
Lira shook her head.
"No. That's what they want."
Kael nodded.
We don't move.
The bond steadied.
The figures waited a moment longer
Then one raised a hand.
A faint symbol flared in the air.
Lira cried out softly.
"It's pulling…!"
Kael felt it too
not force, but pressure.
The Seer cursed under his breath.
"A lure mark. Subtle."
Kael stepped back from the window.
Can you block it?
The Seer shook his head.
"Not fully. But you can."
Lira looked at Kael, fear mixing with trust.
"Kael… I don't know how."
He held her shoulders gently.
You already do. Focus on us.
She closed her eyes.
The bond tightened
then steadied.
The pull weakened.
Outside, the symbol flickered… then vanished.
The figures stepped back into the dark.
Gone.
Lira exhaled shakily.
"They left…"
Kael nodded.
For now.
The Seer relaxed slightly.
"You resisted.
That means they learned something."
Lira frowned.
"What?"
The Seer answered:
"That you are harder to control than expected."
Kael looked down at Lira.
Which makes them more interested.
She nodded slowly.
"Kael… I'm not afraid of fighting anymore."
He felt her resolve clearly.
"But I'm afraid of being cornered," she continued.
"Of people deciding our future."
Kael pulled her close.
Then we decide it first.
The Seer looked toward the horizon.
"Tomorrow, you must choose a direction," he said.
"Toward the mountains… or toward the coast."
Lira looked up.
"What's the difference?"
The Seer answered:
"One path leads away from the heir."
"The other leads closer to him."
Silence filled the room.
Kael already felt the answer forming.
The bond pulsed.
Whatever they chose
The night had shown them one thing clearly:
They were done being hunted quietly.