Chapter Twenty-Seven: See You Later

The cavern was alive with movement—the chaotic kind that only came before something big. Boots scuffed against the damp stone, weapons were checked and rechecked, whispered instructions passed between the crew. They were going up.

Tara barely had room to breathe.

Ballad was stuffing extra rations into Lottie's pack, muttering under her breath. Talulah adjusted the scarf around her neck, making sure her banshee-pale skin was as golden Fluorescent as possible. Collin had already strapped his short sword to his hip, flicking his fingers as if testing the extent of his fae abilities.

Seamus was grumbling about a flask, looking utterly unbothered by the fact that they were about to surface into dangerous territory.

The air was buzzing.

Tara barely heard them. Barely registered any of it.

Her attention was locked on him.

He stood at the far side of the cavern, securing the strap of his rifle across his chest, curls falling messily over his green eyes as he ran a hand through them. His expression was taut, not with fear, but with something heavier. Something unspoken.

She felt it, too.

But when he turned to her—just for a second, just enough for their eyes to meet—Tara felt the world tilt.

This mission wasn't just dangerous—it was a trap waiting to be sprung.

And if it was the last time she saw him...

No. Don't think like that.

Tara moved before she could second-guess herself.

Landon stilled as she grabbed him, but only for a second.

Then—his hands were on her.

One sliding up to cup her face, fingers threading into her hair, the other anchoring her against him as he pulled her in.

The kiss was swift, burning, edged with urgency. A moment carved out of time.

Tara pressed closer, memorizing his warmth, the familiarity of him—the only piece of home she had left.

And then—

A sharp whistle.

"Oh, well, isn't this sweet?" Ballad's voice cut through the cavern, mocking but warm.

Landon smiled against her lips.

Tara sighed, resting her forehead against his for just a second longer.

Collin let out an exaggerated gag. "So, that's why they were shady, they're fucking."

A few chuckles rippled through the group, but the teasing was light. Not harsh.

They all knew what this moment was.

Lottie didn't react. Talulah pretended not to care. Seamus sighed like he was too old for this.

Tara pulled away, cheeks burning. She tried to laugh it off, rolling her eyes at Ballad, but the moment her gaze flickered past the others—

She saw him.

Skye.

He wasn't watching them.

Not really.

His expression was neutral. Too neutral.

But—his fingers.

They were tight around the grip of his bow.

His knuckles whitened, a telltale crackle of static curling around his fingertips like something barely restrained.

Then—just as fast as it came—

It was gone.

Skye turned away before she could react.

But Tara knew.

Something had shifted.

She didn't have time to dwell.

He walked past her, past everyone, toward the tunnel's entrance.

Tara's stomach coiled. The others didn't notice. But she did.

Ballad was still teasing her, Collin was snorting at Landon's dopey grin, and the rest of the crew was too preoccupied with the mission ahead.

Tara exhaled, steeling herself.

Landon's hands tightened at her waist, pulling her focus back to him.

He gave her a small, knowing smile. "It's just see you later."

She nodded, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. "See you later."

With one last lingering touch, she pulled away.

The plan was set. The groups were ready.

They were going up.