Lena's POV
Damien was beside me before Abel had finished stepping forward.
I hadn't heard him come out, he moved like that, appearing in spaces without announcing himself, always already there when something required him.
He stood at the top of the steps with his hands in his pockets and looked at Aiden at the gate with the particular stillness that in Damien meant something cold and absolute was happening behind his eyes.
"Go inside," he said. To me. Quiet and direct.
"No," I said.
He looked at me.
I looked back.
"He came here for me," I said. "Not for you. Not for the company. For me." I kept my voice even. "Which means I'm the one who goes to the gate."
Damien held my gaze for a long moment.
I didn't move.
He said nothing further. Which, from Damien, was as close to standing
