A Conversation Under the Stars

The call ended.

I stood there, the cold weight of the words settling over me.

"Reynard Vale. I believe it's time for us to speak in person."

The voice had been calm, measured. Not a threat, not a warning—just a statement. But that was what made it worse. The people who spoke like that were the ones you had to be the most careful of.

I stared at my phone for a long moment before slipping it back into my pocket.

Not now.

Not tonight.

The girls came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, still chatting and laughing like nothing had changed. Sienna had picked up a new scented candle, Alexis was inspecting a questionable energy drink, and Camille was proudly carrying a shopping bag that I was almost certain contained something ridiculously overpriced.

I didn't tell them about the call.

Not yet.