A couple of weeks pass without anythingactuallychanging. That’s the horrible, stupid, cruel part. I never unpacked, and every day that passes has me chewing my fingernails. A ridiculous habit I thought I finally kicked for good. Apparently not.
My birthday passed the other day, and Heather made it as special as she could. She baked a beautiful cake for me, even when Adela rolled her eyes and said she could have one of the best bakers in NYC to do it. Heather was appalled, to say the least. It was delicious. And I love my best friend.
Rafe and Adela keep moving at their own pace with meetings and calls. Empires don’t rush just because I’m scared, and Iknow that. But I’m freaking out. I try not to ask when we’re leaving. They’ve been very clear that they want to help, so I’m trying to be understanding.
Micah sprawls on the bed, scrolling through his phone. Heather’s on the floor with her back against the dresser, meticulously cleaning a gun that Adela asked her to clean. Heather doesn’t mind guns. She used to shoot a lot at the range with her father. She’s way more comfortable with them than I am. I feel like a defenseless fawn in this world.
“You’re gonna wear a hole in the floor,” Micah says without looking up.
“I’m not pacing,” I say, immediately stopping mid-step.
Heather snorts. “You stopped because he called it out. That still counts.”
I drop onto the bed beside Micah’s feet and cross my arms. My leg starts bouncing on its own. I don’t even notice until Heather glances up.
“If you shake the room any harder,” she says, “Rafe’s gonna feel it in his office.”
“Good,” I mutter. “Maybe he’ll remember I exist.”
Micah finally looks up, studying me. His voice softens. “I’m anxious, too. It’s felt weird to just fucking exist here for the last two weeks. I get it. But they're lining things up for us, and they've even already started tracking Nolan's movements at least.” He sighs. “I’ve been watching Adriana’s Instagram, so I know he’s still alive. He’s in her stories and shit.”
My fists clench at my sides. “I’m ready to go.”
Heather clicks the magazine back into place with skillful motion. “Ready doesn’t mean in charge. Rook told you that Rafe was no joke. Don’t piss him off. He and Adela have been welcoming and even willing to help us. And I don’t know about you, but Idon’twant to see his bad side.”
“I know,” I snap, then sigh. “Sorry. I know.”
She gives me a look that saysdon’t spiral, then sets the gun aside. “You want the truth?”
“No,” I say immediately.
Micah grins. “Too late.”
Heather shrugs. “If Rafe says we’re leaving soon, we’re leaving soon. We need to trust him.”
“I understand that,” I say, annoyed beyond belief. “But if Jude dies and we were justsittinghere, I’llneverforgive myself for not trying to speed up this godforsaken process.”
Before either of them can respond, Rafe appears in the doorway like he’s been summoned by the tension alone. I stiffen, unsure if they heard us. Adela’s just behind him, calm, composed, and checking something on her phone.
“We leave tomorrow,” Rafe says casually.
My stomach drops. Relief hits first, then it immediately curdles into nausea. “Tomorrow,” I repeat, just to hear it out loud.
Adela nods. “Early.”
Micah straightens, already shifting into action mode. Heather’s on her feet in seconds.
I stay seated.
The silence stretches long enough that Rafe’s attention finally lands fully on me. His head tilts slightly, assessing. “You look like you’re about to bolt,” he says.
“I’m not,” I say quickly. Then, because I can’t stop myself, “I just—are we…ready? For Alexei? For all of it?”
Adela lets out a short laugh before she can stop herself. Rafe doesn’t even try. They laugh like I’ve told some joke, and a shiver rushes down my spine.
Rafe steps closer with a smile. “Emma,” he says, voice calm as ever. “I understand that you’ve been antsy.”
I shift uncomfortably beneath his icy gaze.