Page 137 of The Alien in the Archive

The cottage is too quiet.

It’s the kind of silence that seeps into my bones, heavy and unshakable. I’ve been holding myself together for hours—maybe days—but now that we’re home, now that the fight is over and Thorne is here, the silence feels unbearable.

Thorne stands by the window, looking out into the dark like he can see something I can’t. He hasn’t said much since we got back. I don’t blame him. The bond hums faintly between us now—quiet, tired—but at least it’s there.

After everything, I can’t ask for more than that.

I open my mouth to say something, anything, when there’s a knock at the door.

I freeze, pulse jumping. Thorne turns toward me, his brow furrowed, every muscle in his body going tense.Did she invite someone over…?

“No,” I murmur in response to his thoughts, already crossing the room. I glance back at Thorne, who doesn’t move, though his focus sharpens. He doesn’t need to say anything for me to know he’s ready for whoever’s out there. Ireach out, searching for who might be here, and I find three familiar minds.

The knock comes again, firmer this time, and I brace myself as I open the door.

It’s Lyn.

And behind her are Riley and Thalara, standing shoulder to shoulder, looking…well, hopeful.

I blink at the three of them, my brain trying to catch up. Lyn looks different—tired, worn around the edges, with dark circles under her eyes and her wild curls pulled into a tight ponytail at the crown of her head. Riley gives me a small wave, his usual cocky grin absent, and Thalara clutches her datapad like it’s a lifeline.

“Page,” Lyn says, her voice hoarse. “Can we come in?”

I glance back at Thorne. He’s still watching from the window, his silver gaze sharp, but he nods ever so slightly. I turn back to the group on my doorstep, letting out a breath.

“Yeah.” I step aside. “Come in.”

They file in one by one, shuffling into the warm glow of the cottage. Lyn comes in slowly, followed by an ever-supportive Riley, but Thalara zeroes in on Ashlan right away.

“Were you a good boy waiting so patiently?” she coos as she drops to her knees, holding a hand out to Ashlan like she’s greeting royalty. The lumivix chirps happily, leaping into her arms without hesitation.

I can’t help it—I smile, just a little. “Careful, he’ll never leave you alone now.”

“That’s fine,” she murmurs, scratching his ears. “He’s perfect.”

Lyn, meanwhile, is hovering near the door, her arms crossed over her chest like she’s holding herself together. She glances between me and Thorne before finally meeting my gaze.

“I…I’m not here to make excuses,” she says, her voice quiet but firm. “I just…wanted to say I’m sorry.”

The words surprise me—and even more surprisingly, I realize I don’t want them. I stand there for a moment, staring at her, my chest tight. I thought I’d still be furious if I ever saw her again. I thought I’d want to yell or scream or something. But instead, I just feel…tired.

“I get why you did it,” I reply softly.

Lyn blinks. “You do?”

“Yeah,” I continue, letting out a slow breath. “I sat in that Tribunal and listened to Rhyss talk about what the Boreans did. I get it, Lyn. You weren’t wrong to be scared. And even though you were…you didn’t tell my secret—about my powers, I mean. And I’m so, so grateful for that.”

Lyn’s arms drop to her sides. Her shoulders slump, her face crumpling just a little before she quickly schools her expression. “I didn’t know what you were doing. I didn’t know what he was. All I saw was you…risking everything. For him.” She jerks her chin toward Thorne.

Thorne doesn’t react; he just watches her, impassive and silent.

“And you thought I was losing my mind,” I finish for her.

Lyn flinches at that, guilt flashing across her face. Her shoulders are stiff, her arms crossed tight, but her brown eyes meet mine without flinching. “Yeah,” she admits quietly. “I did. I told myself I was doing the right thing, but…” Her voice falters, and she shifts uncomfortably. “It wasn’t just about you, Page. It was abouthimtoo.”

She jerks her chin toward Thorne, who remains silent at my side. I can feel his presence like a steady current, his thoughts brushing softly against mine, waiting. Watching.

“I kept your secret about your powers,” Lyn continues, voice strained, “because I didn’t want to ruin your life completely. Not just because you’re my friend…but because youwerescared. I saw it.” She pauses, and for a second, it looks like the words might choke her. “And because if I told anyone, they would have put you in a room just like the one he was in. Locked you up. I couldn’t…” She shakes her head. “I couldn’t do that to you, even if I thought you were wrong.”

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