The sirens didn’t fade.They stopped right outside.
Selara’s pulse jumped. “They’re here.”
Kael was already moving.Not panicked,not rushed,controlled.He stepped toward the door, listening,not just for police. For anything else.
“Did you call them?” she asked.
“No.”
Her stomach tightened.
The knock came hard. Official.
“Police! Open the door!”
Selara looked at Kael.
“This is your exit,” he said quietly. “If you want it.”
“You think I’m going to tell them you broke in and assaulted someone?” she asked.
His jaw flexed. “You should.”
“I won’t.”
A beat passed between them.
Heavy and real.
The knock came again.Kael leaned closer, voice low. “If they separate us, don’t mention the word ‘chosen.’ Don’t mention the man’s face. Say he fled before you saw him clearly.”
“You’re giving m
