51. Beneath the Stillness

The waves rolled lazily onto the shore below the cliffs, whispering like the wind carried secrets it couldn't quite speak. The morning sun stretched long shadows across the estate's stone courtyard, painting everything in gold and silence.

Inside, Elara stood barefoot on the veranda, one hand wrapped around a warm mug of black tea. Her eyes scanned the horizon—not for beauty, but for signs.

Aeron stepped beside her. No words, just his quiet presence. He didn't need to speak. The past few days had sharpened the space between them into something intimate and unspoken.

"How long do we have?" she finally asked.

He hesitated. "Voss's encryption is still breaking down. Damien says maybe another day before the files decrypt fully."

She turned to face him. "That's not what I meant."

Aeron's eyes darkened. "Then… I don't know. But they're close. I feel them."

"Like before?"