The memory surged toward her, pulling her deeper?—
Liora slammed the door shut in her mind. Hard.
The effort hit her like a punch to the gut. Her vision blurred for half a second as she forced the memory away, burying it before it could take hold.
Not now. Not him. Not here.
She sucked in a slow breath and straightened.
Maldenis frowned slightly. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You look?—”
“I said I’m fine.” The edge in her voice cut him off.
He studied her for a moment longer, concern flickering there again, but she refused to meet his eyes. Instead, she stepped back.
“No,” she said firmly. “I’m not going to Solkaris.”
“You haven’t even heard what?—”
“I don’t need to.”
His frustration finally showed. “You are part of this whether you like it or not.”
Her eyes snapped to his. “Watch me.”
“Liora—”
“Leave,” she said.
He didn’t move.
“Go back to your family. Fix your political disaster. Tell them whatever you want.”
He stared at her.
“But I am not getting dragged into it.”
“You already are.”
“No,” she said flatly, stepping around him. Then stopped just long enough to add, without turning back— “Leave me alone.”
Another step away. “And don’t follow me.”
She walked back toward the building without looking over her shoulder, every muscle in her body tense. Behind her, Maldenis didn’t say a word.
A few days later, Liora stepped out of the elevator and into the main floor of their office in Alindale. The space still amused her every time she saw it.
It was sleek and modern, all glass walls and open workspaces, but threaded with ancient details that reminded you exactly where you were. Soft rune-light glowed along the edges of the ceiling instead of harsh fluorescent bulbs. Old stone columns had been left intact between polished metal desks. Screens floated beside carved archways etched with spells that predated most human languages.
It looked like someone had taken a tech startup, blended it with an ancient temple, and then given the whole thing a minimalist makeover. And somehow it worked.
She walked past the main tables toward the hallway that led to the private offices. Medusa had sent a message asking her to come to the office—alone—she had been…surprised and a little suspicious.
She reached the final door in the hallway. Medusa & Perseus, it said on the name plate. Liora smiled faintly. Of course, they shared an office. The two of them couldn’t stay apart for long.
