Elera’s POV
Something was wrong the moment I stepped into the building.
Not the usual kind of wrong I had gotten used to lately—the kind that came with Kael’s presence or the way people looked at me like I was a problem they hadn’t named yet.
This was different.
This felt controlled.
Quiet.
Like the entire building had learned how to hold its breath at the same time.
The lobby was too still.
No casual greetings. No morning chatter. Even the security guards avoided eye contact, their posture stiff like they had been warned not to speak unless spoken to.
I slowed near reception.
The woman behind the desk didn’t smile.
Didn’t even pretend to.
She just glanced at me once, then immediately looked down at her screen like I wasn’t supposed to exist in her line of sight.
My stomach ti
