Page 38 of Roaring Spell

“Her name is Sakura. And she’s not useful. She’s essential.”

Silence.

Then Rhodes, muttering: “Someone’s invested.”

“Someone should be.” Torin doesn’t flinch. “She found in three weeks what we’ve been chasing for months.”

Aslan catches my eye across the circle. Recognition flickers there—or maybe understanding. He knows what it’s like to fall fast.

“Meeting adjourned.” Caius waves dismissal.

As I stand, he adds, quietly: “Elio’s team will neutralize the warehouse device tonight. No announcements until it’s done.”

The walk back to my studio is quiet.

The mist has burned off, replaced by afternoon sun that warms the cobblestones. Mistvale looks peaceful. Idyllic. Nothing like a town harboring threats to its existence.

“You defended me.” I break the silence. “In there.”

“I stated facts.”

“You called me essential.”

“You are.” He doesn’t look at me. “You found the siphon. Identified the pattern. Your magic does what our technology can’t.”

“Still.” I bump his shoulder with mine—a gesture that would be playful if he weren’t so much larger.

We stop outside my studio. The new shelving is visible through the windows, sturdy and stable.

“Thank you.” I turn to face him. “For today. For believing me. For coming with me instead of calling the official team.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“I want to.” I take a breath. “You’ve been... unexpected. In the best way. I’m not used to people who show up without wanting anything in return.”

“I want things.”

The words hang between us. Simple. Direct. Loaded.

“What things?”

He’s silent a moment. Long enough that I wonder if I’ve misread everything.

Then: “Your time. Your trust. The chance to know you better.” His gaze holds mine. “I want you to stop assuming you’re too much trouble to be worth pursuing.”

“That’s...”

“Too honest?”

“I was going to say unexpected.” I manage a shaky smile. “But also not unwelcome.”

The air shifts. Warm. Electric. Like something’s been building for a long time and finally can’t hold anymore.

“I should go.” He steps back. “The Network needs reports. And you should rest.”

“I’m not fragile.”

“I know.” His voice softens. “But you deserve care anyway.”