~Lyra~
The elevator climbed steadily until it dinged at the conference floor. The doors slid open— And what greeted us was a wall of bodies.
The corridor was packed. Guards filled every inch of visible space, blocking us to the conference room.
I glanced at Kael.
His lips curled into a slow, mocking smile. Without a word, he reached for my hand—and strode forward. The front line of guards stiffened. But none of them moved.
“Kael—where’s Kai?” Evelyn’s voice cut through the tension. She and Mira had rushed over the second they spotted us. Clearly, they’d been waiting here a while.
Evelyn offered a strained smile, lips barely holding together. “A guard called earlier. Said Kai was stranded at Jade Beach with you. He’s not back yet?”
Kael tilted his head, voice low and almost playful.
