Chapter 85: Smoke and Mirrors
Josie
The fact that they stayed with me after everything I’d just told them made my heart ache—in a good way. I was still unsure how I expected them to react, especially after revealing something so heavy. But Varen and Kiel remained by my side, grounding me with their presence.
And yet, despite their loyalty, my mind couldn’t help but wander to Thorne.
Where was he?
I didn’t want to ask. I should have. But with the whirlwind that had just happened—the boy, the healing, the confrontation—I didn’t feel ready for one more emotional blow. I held my tongue and waited, pretending I didn’t notice the heavy absence pressing against my ribs.
Suddenly, Varen stood and walked out of the room. I blinked, a bit startled, but didn’t question it. My stomach twisted in quiet anxiety while Kiel stared at the floor, silent.
A few minutes later, Varen returned holding a brown bag and a drink cup. The smell hit me first—greasy, salty, warm. My stomach growled, louder than I expected.
"You haven’t eaten all day," Varen said, pushing the bag into my hands. "You need strength."
I couldn’t argue. Not now. I dug into the food with trembling hands and took a bite of the hamburger, then some fries. The warmth filled a cold space inside me I hadn’t realized was there. For a moment, the taste brought me comfort—something normal amidst the chaos.
As I chewed, I felt someone’s gaze on me. I looked up and met Kiel’s eyes. He was watching me quietly, like I might disappear if he blinked.
"You’re so small," he murmured. "But so damn brave."
I swallowed hard, shrugged like it didn’t matter. "Someone has to be. Besides, all that really matters right now is that our plan works. That we fix this. Then maybe... maybe we can step into a better future."