7
239 Words
Outside, Rhea’s voice drifted faintly through the open window.
“…I’m telling you, if he smiles at me again, I’m not responsible for my actions—”
Salem closed her eyes briefly.
Miles grinned. “She’s still talking.”
“Yes,” Salem said flatly. “I’m aware.”
River’s voice was quieter.
“You didn’t send her away because she was distracting you.”
Salem opened her eyes.
Looked at him.
“And why did I send her away?” she asked.
River didn’t look away.
“Because you felt it,” he said.
Silence.
Miles’ grin faded slightly—watching now.
Interested.
Focused.
Salem held River’s gaze.
Steady.
Unmoving.
“Felt what?” she asked.
River stepped closer.
Not rushed.
Not forced.
Just enough.
“You tell me.”
The air shifted again.
That same pull.
That same tension.
Closer.
Sharper.
More dangerous now that it had a name.
Salem’s pulse ticked once.
Hard.
Then she turned back to the screen.
“No,” she said. “I don’t think I will.”
Miles exhaled softly behind her.
Half amused.
Half something else.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “This is gonna be fun.”
Salem ignored that too.
Focused on the system.
On the breach.
On the problem she could solve.
Because whatever was building between the three of them—
That wasn’t something she could control.
And that?
Was still the biggest problem of all.
- Writer
