Cassidy
The council chamber still felt cold, even after everyone had cleared out. The echo of Mara's confession rang in my head, over and over, like a cruel joke I hadn't quite understood yet. The silence she left behind was heavier than any scream. Heavier than betrayal.
I didn't say a word as we returned to our room. My feet moved on instinct. My mind was somewhere else. Everywhere else. The air felt too thin. My heart, too loud.
When Kieran opened the door and let me in first, I barely noticed him slip something into his pocket. But I did notice when he pulled it out again and held it out to me once we were alone.
A phone.
"Just in case," he said, his voice low. "I know you pretty much have everyone you care about here, but if you ever need to reach someone fast—including me—you'll have this."
I stared at it.
He didn't force it into my hand. Just waited.
Eventually, I took it.