Page 67 of Rogue’s Reckoning

"Sorry to interrupt," he says, "but, Rogue, we need you for a meeting."

Rogue's face immediately hardens, all traces of the playful dad disappearing. He turns to Wren, his voice gentle. "I've got to go for a bit, sweetheart. But we'll play more later, okay?"

Wren pouts but nods. "Promise?"

"Promise," Rogue says, ruffling her hair affectionately before standing up.

As he moves to leave, he pauses by me. "Everything okay?" I ask quietly, noting the tension in his shoulders.

He gives me a tight smile. "Don't worry, Little Flower. We've got it under control."

But I can see the worry in his eyes, and it sends a chill down my spine. Whatever's happening out there, it's serious.

After Rogue leaves, I try to distract Wren with a coloring book, but my mind is racing. The sound of raised voices filters through the closed door, adding to my unease.

"Mama?" Wren's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Why are we really here?"

I look at my daughter, surprised by her perceptiveness. "What do you mean, sweetie?"

Wren puts down her crayon, her little face serious. "This doesn't feel like a vacation. Everyone looks worried. And Rogue got hurt."

I sigh, wondering how much to tell her. I've always tried to be honest with Wren, but I also want to protect her from the pain and the violence.

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain the situation to Wren without frightening her.

"You're right, Little Bird. This isn't exactly a vacation," I say gently. "Some bad people are causing trouble, so we're staying here to be safe for a little while."

Wren's brow furrows. "Is that why Rogue got hurt? Was he fighting the bad people?"

I nod, marveling at how perceptive my daughter is. "Yes, sweetie. But he's okay, remember? Just a little scratch."

Wren is quiet for a moment, processing this information. Then she looks up at me, her eyes wide. "Are we in danger, Mama?"

My heart clenches at the fear in her voice. I pull her into a tight hug. "No, baby. We're safe here. Rogue and his friends are protecting us. That's why we're staying in this special place."

As I hold my daughter close, I can't help but reflect on how complicated our situation has become. I never wanted Wren exposed to this world of danger and violence. But here we are, relying on the very people I once ran from to keep us safe.

I look toward the closed door, where I can still hear muffled voices discussing whatever happened this evening. Despite everything that's happened between us, I find myself hoping that Rogue will come back soon. His presence, as conflicting as it is for me, seems to bring a sense of security to Wren.

And if I'm being honest with myself, to me as well. Which is something I hadn’t expected.

As Wrenfinally drifts off to sleep, exhausted from the day's events, I hear a soft knock at the door. My heart skips a beat, knowing it's likely Rogue.

I open the door to find him standing there, looking weary but determined. "Can we talk?" he asks quietly, mindful of Wren sleeping nearby.

I nod, stepping out into the hallway and closing the door softly behind me. "How did the meeting go?"

Rogue runs a hand through his hair, a gesture I recognize from our past as a sign of stress. "It's... complicated," he says carefully. "I can't give you details, but the situation with the Shadow Hawks is escalating."

A chill runs down my spine at his words. "Are we in danger here?"

He shakes his head firmly. "No, Little Flower. I promise you, this is the safest place for you and Wren right now. We've increased security, and there's always someone on watch."

I nod, trying to calm my racing heart. "Rogue... Wren asked me why we're really here. She knows something's wrong."

Rogue's expression softens. "She's a smart kid. Just like her mother."

Despite everything, I feel a small smile tugging at my lips. "She is. But I don't know how much to tell her. I don't want her to be scared."

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