Lulu
The international airport rose from the coastline like a curved shell of glass and pale stone. Aqualis Haven International, the sign read in letters that shimmered faintly as if touched by moisture. Even the air felt different here—cooler, heavier, carrying the scent of salt and something faintly metallic, like magic left too long in water.
I stayed close to Caspian as we walked through the arrival hall. The others followed behind us, alert but trying not to draw attention. Warriors never truly blended in, no matter how hard they tried. There was something about their posture, the way they scanned every shadow.
Waiting near the exit stood a woman dressed in flowing blue robes, her hair braided with thin blue threads that caught the light. When her gaze found us, it sharpened immedi
