Page 127 of The Alien in the Archive

Page’s mind is screaming.

I don’t move as the guards cuff my wrists behind my back with some metal alloy I don’t recognize. A dull hum vibrates through the restraints. A psycho-suppressant field. Of course; they were used on Borean prisoners all the time on Borealis. I can already feel the pressure of it, suppressing the bond just enough to leave me dizzy.

I keep my eyes on Page as they begin to lead me toward the door.

Her gaze burns into mine, grey eyes wide, filled with everything she can’t say out loud.

I’m here, I try to tell her with a look.We’re not done.

They guide me out of the hall, through a back corridor I’ve never seen before, and I don’t look back. If I do, I’ll see her. If I see her, I’ll want to stop.

And I can’t.

Not until I’ve proven my innocence…or at least, my intention to make amends.

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The walk back to the cottage feels like wading through water, heavy and slow. I don’t remember unlocking the door, but I must have…

…because now I’m standing in the entryway, staring at the empty couch.

It’s too quiet here without him.

Ashlan chirps from the armrest, hopping down and padding to me. He winds around my ankles, nudging my leg with his head.

I drop my bag and sink to the floor, pulling him into my lap.

The tears I’ve been holding back all day spill over, silent and relentless.

The bond is silent—justgone—like someone ripped half of me away. I keep reaching for it instinctively, for him, but there’s nothing there except empty air.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper into Ashlan’s fur, my voice hoarse. “I’m so sorry.”

The knock on the door doesn’t startle me. I’ve been numb for hours, but it’s enough to make me look up.

I don’t move. Whoever it is, they can go away.

The knock comes again—louder this time. “Page,” Riley’s voice calls out. “I know you’re in there, so open up before I knock the damn door down.”

I let out a shaky breath, wiping my face with the sleeve of my sweater as I stand. My hands fumble with the lock, and when I pull the door open, Riley steps in immediately, eyes scanning me like I might break at any second.

Behind him, Thalara stands with a satchel slung over her shoulder. She doesn’t say anything, but her gaze softens as she takes me in. I know what I must look like—tear-streaked, exhausted, hollowed out. I don’t care.

Riley is the first to speak. “Yeah, okay, this is what I thought,” he mutters. “We’re staying.”

“You don’t need to?—”

“Yes, we do,” Thalara cuts in, her voice gentle but firm. She steps inside, closing the door behind her with deliberate care. “Page, we heard what happened.”

“Everyone heard what happened,” Riley adds, a little softer now. He shrugs out of his jacket and tosses it over a chair. “The entire city’s talking about it.”

I don’t know why that surprises me. Thorne being dragged out in cuffs, me being marched out behind him; it was never going to stay quiet.

Riley watches me for a second, then sighs. “Where’s your food? I’m cooking.”

I blink at him. “What?”

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