I needed air more than I needed the rules.
After Damaris walked away, the house felt too small. Every room carried the weight of what had almost happened in the hallway. Kade was on watch near the front. Theo had taken the back. The new lockdown left almost no space to breathe without someone measuring the distance.
I waited until the shift changed.
When Theo moved to the front rooms and Kade stepped outside to check the perimeter, I slipped out the side door that led to the narrow service alley behind the property. It was a short window. Maybe five minutes before someone noticed. I only needed enough time to clear my head.
I did not get that far.
Cassius was already waiting at the end of the alley, leaning against the brick wall like he had known exactly when I would appear.
“You ar
