Aria's POV
The drive stretched on endlessly, the hum of the car tires on the road a constant reminder of how far we still had to go. I sat in the passenger seat, my head resting against the window as I watched the empty highway blur past. The tension in the car was thick—unspoken, but heavy all the same. Having Zelda in the car was bad enough. But being stuck with both Damon and Drake, each carrying their own frustration, was like sitting in the eye of a storm waiting to spiral.
I never thought having Drake and Zelda in such close quarters would feel like... nothing. Not after everything. Once upon a time, the sight of them together would have been like ripping open an old wound. Now, there was no sting, no ache. My bond with Damon was too strong for that. It was a reminder of how far I’
