SHADOWS BENEATH THE FLAME (completed)

Smoke Between Us

📘 Chapter 11: Smoke Between Us

Lena didn’t stop walking until the sound of the stream faded behind her. She wasn’t running — not yet — but every step away from the cave felt heavier than the last.

The night air was cold, crisp. Trees stood tall like silent witnesses. She could still feel Jay’s confession in her bones.

I was part of Valken.

He hadn’t begged. Hadn’t justified. He’d simply told her the truth and let it hang like smoke between them.

She found a rock ledge overlooking the ravine and sat, pulling her coat tighter around her. Her fingers curled around the USB drive in her pocket like it was the only solid thing left in her world.

Everything had changed again. She didn’t know who to trust — not even herself. Part of her wanted to believe Jay had done what he had to. That he hadn’t known. That he wasn’t lying now.

But another part — the sharper part — whispered that the line between protector and predator was thin. Too thin.

And her father had died for crossing it.

Behind her, twigs cracked.

Jay.

“I’m not here to explain,” he said softly. “Just to keep you safe.”

She didn’t turn around.

“Then stay silent,” she replied. “I need to remember what it feels like not to be lied to.”