Damien Varros

Celeste ran her thumb over the keycard in her palm.

It was cool to the touch, metallic edges catching the dim light of the Scorpio undercity. She still wasn't sure why Kieran had given it to her, what it unlocked, or if using it would get her killed.

But she knew one thing—she wasn't going to sit around and wait for the Order to decide her fate.

Kieran had left her alone after their last conversation, but she could still feel the weight of his presence lingering in the back of her mind. The way his fingers had barely brushed against her skin before he had jerked back like she was something untouchable.

Something dangerous.

She clenched her jaw, pushing the thought aside.

One problem at a time.

The keycard had to mean something.

Kieran wouldn't have risked giving it to her unless it was important, which meant it held answers that she desperately needed.

And there was one person in Aetherion who might be able to help her figure out what it unlocked.

******

The Earth District was different from the Air Dominion.

It was older and more grounded. Where Aquarius built sleek floating towers and transparent glass bridges, Capricorn's structures were made of stone and metal—fortresses rather than homes.

Celeste moved quickly through the district's lower levels, her cloak pulled tightly around her. She wasn't supposed to be here. No Air-born citizen wandered into Earth's domain without clearance, but Celeste had learned how to avoid the patrols.

Besides, she wasn't here to cause trouble.

She was here to find Damien Varros.

The Capricorn strategist was well-known in certain circles. He wasn't a soldier, but his name carried the same weight as any high-ranking officer in the Order. He didn't deal in weapons—he dealt in knowledge. He understood the shifting tides of power better than anyone, knew how to predict the rise and fall of leaders before they even saw it coming.

And most importantly—he was neutral.

For now.

Celeste found him exactly where she expected—the Observatory Hall, an underground chamber where Earth Dominion's tacticians gathered to analyze the movements of power, politics, and war.

Damien stood near one of the massive circular tables, staring down at a holographic projection of Aetherion. His expression was unreadable, brown eyes sharp and calculating.

He was tall, with a lean, athletic build that made his movements look effortless. He never had to rush because the world would adjust to his pace. The shifting light of the projection illuminated his olive-toned skin, and everything about him was composed and disciplined.

Celeste hesitated.

Damien wasn't Kieran; he didn't radiate danger in the same way, but he was just as unpredictable.

And, in some ways, that made him even more dangerous.

She stepped forward. "I need your help."

Damien didn't look up right away. He just tilted his head slightly, acknowledging her presence without granting her his full attention.

Then, after a pause, he sighed. "You have a habit of showing up when things get interesting."

Celeste frowned. "What does that mean?"

Damien finally turned his gaze to her, studying her with mild curiosity. "The Order's attention is shifting. Someone stirred the water." He let his gaze drift over her. "I have a feeling that someone is you."

Celeste stiffened. "If you already know that, then you know why I'm here."

Damien smiled faintly. "You assume I care."

She clenched her jaw. "You care about information. I have some."

That caught his attention. He glanced down at her hand, where the keycard was still pressed between her fingers. His brown eyes darkened slightly.

"Where did you get that?"

Celeste hesitated. She wasn't sure if she should say Kieran's name—but Damien noticed the pause, and something like amusement flickered across his face.

"Kieran," he said, as if confirming a theory. "I should have known."

Celeste frowned. "You know him?"

Damien let out a quiet laugh, not quite friendly, not quite cold. "Kieran Vael and I… cross paths occasionally. He deals with death. I deal in survival."

She narrowed her eyes. "You don't sound like you like him."

Damien shrugged. "I don't dislike him either. But we aren't close, if that's what you're wondering. Kieran is…" He paused, as if deciding on the right word. "…efficient. Dangerous when he needs to be but reckless."

Celeste wasn't sure why that last word sent a strange pang through her chest.

She straightened, forcing herself to stay on track. "Can you tell me what this unlocks?"

Damien held out his hand but she hesitated again.

He arched a brow. "You came here for answers. Let me help, or don't waste my time."

With a slow breath, she placed the keycard in his palm.

Damien turned it over between his fingers, his expression unreadable.

Then, after a long silence, he said, "You're not going to like the answer."

Celeste's pulse spiked. "Why?"

Damien exhaled through his nose, looking mildly amused at her reaction. "Because this isn't an ordinary access card." He tapped the edge of the metal. "This is Scorpio encryption. Top-level clearance. Whatever this unlocks, it's something Kieran wasn't supposed to give you."

Celeste's stomach twisted. She knew it was important. But Scorpio encryption?

That meant it was something dangerous.

Damien studied her for a moment. Then, in a voice quieter than before, he said, "You don't know what you're caught up in, do you?"

Celeste swallowed hard. "I know enough."

Damien tilted his head slightly, eyes gleaming with something almost like pity. "No," he said. "You don't."

Celeste's grip tightened at her sides. "Can you open it?"

Damien was silent for a long moment.

Then, finally, he sighed. "Yes. But if I do, you owe me."

"Owe you? Like what?"

"I don't know. Could be a cup of coffee or perhaps... a night with you," Damien said with a playful smirk on his lips, making him look somewhat handsome.

Cut that out, Celeste. Why the fuck are you starting to find every single guy you see handsome? Celeste was speechless with herself.

"What the actual fuck?"

"It was a joke. Don't flatter yourself."

She finally responded, "Fine."

Damien's smirk returned, just slightly. "So eager." He turned, already moving toward one of the encrypted servers at the side of the Observatory. "Careful, Celeste. Deals with me tend to have consequences."

Celeste clenched her jaw, following behind him.

She didn't care about consequences, she just wanted the truth.