The drive felt longer than it really was.
Half an hour passed with mostly silence inside the car. The loud energy from the gym slowly faded as they moved farther into quieter streets. Buildings became fewer, the noise softer, and everything felt calmer.
Between them, the tension from earlier was still there—but not as heavy as before. It had changed into something quieter.
Shiloh leaned against the seat, his eyes closed most of the time, only opening them occasionally when the movement of the car stirred him awake. His body still felt heavy, as if every muscle had been drained. The medicine helped, but it did not erase the exhaustion that came after a heat.
Archer glanced at him from time to time, making sure he was still conscious, still breathing evenly.
"Still with me?" Archer aske
