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He froze as Serali sat up straight, eyes trained on the metal door.

Fuck.

I frantically searched for a place to hide Serali and Rien as a key turned in the lock.

"I guess it will have to wait," Rien said, already slipping away, the vines collapsing and rapidly retreatingthrough the window. I looked over to Serali, but she was gone, too — vanishing into thin air with barely a flicker.

What in the seven hells?!

Rien hadn't been joking when he said she could stay out of sight.

The door squeaked as it swung open, and my chest gave a familiar — and unwanted — tug.

Chapter 22

Kaiya

Tye's tall figure loomed in the doorway, curling white hair peeking out from beneath his cap, a small bundle tucked beneath his arm.

"Who were you talking to?"

"No one." My voice came out as a squeak, and I winced.

Scowling, he strode into the small room, yellow eyes scouring the drab space.

Finding nothing, his eyes shot to the window, and he stormed over to look outside.

My gaze slid to the vines pulling away from just above his head and I swallowed the anxious lump in my throat.

"WhowouldI be talking to, Lieutenant?" I gestured to the keys hanging from the lock. "The door has been locked all night."

He let out a frustrated growl and inspected the room once more before finally turning toface me. His tired gaze caught on something near my waist and widened … before locking on a spot just above my head.

Confused, I looked down. A mussed blanket was wrapped around me, but in the chaos of seeing Rien and Serali, my night dress had bunched high around my thighs, leaving little to the imagination.

Heat climbed my neck …

"You should get ready quickly," he said, voice stiff as he dropped the bundle on the edge of my bed. "I don't want to be late."

I tugged the blankets up to cover myself and the bundle went toppling to the floor.

Damn!

I bent to grab it —

"Here —"

Pain ricocheted through my skull as our heads knocked, and I yelped.

"Sorry —"

Our eyes met — only inches apart, and suddenly all I could think about was his scent — leaves and moonlight, and the way heat seemed to emanate from him, tugging me closer.

His gaze darkened, sliding over my eyes, cheeks, then down to my lips …

Heat unfurled everywhere his gaze touched, and my breath caught.

Those golden eyes flashed as that traitorous bond surged between us,desperate —