GOODBYE, IN TWO DAYS

Velma paced back and forth in Lucian's chamber, her fingers twisting into knots, her breath shallow. The walk with Azarath had shaken her more than she was willing to admit. The way the queen had asked about Daniel… the way Zamiel looked at her like prey… it was all too much.

Lucian stood by the window, his arms folded, jaw tight as she recounted every detail.

"She asked me about Daniel," Velma said, sitting on the edge of the wooden stool. "Out of nowhere, Lucian. As if she already knew."

Lucian turned around slowly, his face grim. "This is what I was afraid of the most."

Velma looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"They know," Lucian said. "They know you know Daniel. Azarath suspects, and Zamiel… he can smell your fear, your difference. They are demons, Velma. They are not stupid. And they've noticed your scent. It doesn't belong here. Not fully."

Velma's hands trembled on her lap. "What do we do?"

Lucian exhaled and finally walked over to her, lowering himself into the chair beside her. "We get you out. I've found a solution."

Velma blinked. "What?"

"In two days," he said firmly, "you'll be gone from here. There's a small passage that opens in the southern caves, and a rare alignment in our realm's magic will allow me to send you back."

Velma's heart leapt. "Back… to the human world?"

Lucian nodded. "To your parents. Your life. The world that never should have lost you."

Velma exhaled in relief but also confusion. "But… what about Daniel?"

Lucian's face darkened. "Azarel is too far gone. If he starts to remember, it won't happen in two days. And if he doesn't, staying here will only destroy you. You've already done more than any human could have. But you must survive."

Velma swallowed the lump in her throat. "What do I do until then?"

"Stay low," Lucian said. "Don't speak more than necessary. Don't linger. Don't draw attention. Just hold on… for two days."

The candle flickered in the corner of the chamber, casting elongated shadows across Lucian's expression. His eyes were harder than usual, and she knew the weight he carried wasn't just for her—it was for the risks he was taking, for the lines he had crossed, for the kingdom he still served.

A knock came on the chamber door.

Lucian stood quickly. "Hide your fear," he whispered.

Velma composed herself as the door creaked open and Evelyn stepped in, her hands behind her back.

"Oh," she said slowly, her eyes flicking between them.

"I was just leaving," Velma said quickly, rising to her feet.

Evelyn's brows pinched slightly. "Why so sudden?"

"I'm… busy," Velma replied with a grin and a playful wink at Evelyn. "See you later."

She slipped past Evelyn and out the door.

Lucian sighed heavily and turned back toward his chair, massaging his temple.

Evelyn walked further in and sat beside him. There was a different air about her today—one not just of playfulness, but of something more serious.

"You know," Evelyn said, breaking the silence, "Velma told me something interesting."

Lucian's head tilted slightly. "What's that?"

"She said… you're behaving the way you do because you like me."

Lucian froze.

That girl never stopped catching him off guard.

Evelyn looked up at him, her eyes cautious, searching. "Is that true?"

Lucian said nothing for a long moment. Then finally…

"Yes."

Evelyn blinked rapidly. "Really?"

He nodded slowly. "I like you, Evelyn. I do."

Her face lit up like a lantern—and then dimmed just as quickly.

"But I can't be with you," Lucian added.

Her joy faltered. "Why?"

"I don't know," he said softly, his voice hoarse, his face distant. "I wish I did. But I don't."

Evelyn stared at him, reading the lines in his face, the tension behind his words. It wasn't that he didn't care. It was that something—something big—was stopping him. Something she didn't yet understand.

Her lips trembled. Her chest ached. But she didn't yell. She didn't argue.

She simply stood.

"Okay," she whispered.

And she ran.

Out the door.

Down the hall.

Lucian watched her go, his hand clenching slowly at his side.

Then he lowered his head, and a sigh escaped him—not one of relief, but of regret.

His heart was heavy.

And the countdown had begun.

Two days.

And everything would change.

---

Outside, Velma walked through the corridor quickly, her thoughts spinning. Everything was spinning. The idea of leaving—escaping—returning home should've given her joy.

But it didn't.

Not fully.

Because she would be leaving him.

The one who still called himself Azarel. The one who had once whispered love to her as Daniel. The man who had held her hand by candlelight, who had kissed her with the tenderness of a man rediscovering life.

He might never remember.

But she would never forget.

---

In her own room, Evelyn curled into her blanket, not bothering to hide the tears that fell. She had thought—for just one second—that Lucian saw her. That he wanted her. That maybe her feelings weren't just an echo in the dark.

But it was more complicated than she knew.

Velma… Azarel… Daniel… The truth she'd learned now burned quietly beneath her skin.

And still, she couldn't stop caring for Lucian.

---

Lucian sat in his chair long after the chamber had gone still, staring at the fire.

Two days.

He would get Velma out. Or die trying.

He owed her that.

He owed Daniel that.

Even if Daniel never returned.

Even if all that remained… was Azarel.