Page 234 of The Devil May Care

Sarai’s expression softens by a fraction. “You believe she’ll come back.”

“I know she will.”

She lets that hang there, a mix of resignation and sorrow. “You’ve changed,” she says finally.

“Yes,” I whisper. “I remembered what it felt like to have something worth losing.”

George lifts his head, eyes half-lidded, and lets out a single chirping meow, as if agreeing—or warning. His tail flicks once, lazy and sharp. Sarai laughs quietly.

“He’s right, you know. You’re doomed either way.”

I manage a faint smile. “Then I hope she’s worth it.”

Sarai’s reply is softer this time. “She always was.”

The silence that follows hums with something living. The ember in the pendant pulses once, stronger, as if it recognizes her name unspoken. I close my fingers around it. The warmth sinks into my palm, steady as a heartbeat.

“Find her,” Sarai murmurs.

“I already did,” I say. “Now I wait for her to find me.”

Outside, the flame stirs. The room glows faintly red, like dawn pretending it could reach this far. And on the bed, George sighs—a low, possessive rumble—as if guarding what remains of her scent.

The bond thrums once beneath my skin. Not gone.

Only quiet.

For now.

“Forgive me.”