The walk back from the ruins was quiet. Mist clung to the trees, and the damp ground smelled of earth and decay. I kept my hand close to my chest, where the mark glowed faintly. It wasn’t just a mark—it was a warning, a guide, a weight in my bones.
Asher walked beside me, silent, his eyes scanning the shadows. I felt the warmth of his presence, steady and calm. But I also felt something else—Gage.
He had been unusually quiet, not joking or complaining, just tense. Every glance he threw at Asher was sharp, measuring how close we were, how much space we took in each other’s lives.
“Trinity.” Asher said quietly, nudging me with his shoulder, “are you okay?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just… tired.”
He studied me, his dark eyes gentle but sharp. “It’s more than that. You’re carryin
