GENESIS As we stepped out, there were so many people outside. My heart began to race. Bright lights flashed. Loud clicks. Strange equipment. So many eyes. I froze for a second, instinctively shrinking in on myself, but Kier’s hand tightened around my waist, grounding me. Possessive. Protective. His fingers dug into my side, like he could sense the panic rising in my chest. You're okay, I told myself. You're with him. I glanced up at him. His jaw was sharp, his expression cold, that boss face on. But when he looked down at me for just a moment, something flickered behind his eyes. Something warm. Reassuring. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. He simply nodded. So I nodded back, small, just for him. We started walking together, slowly. Strange flashes. People turned. I fel

