Page 94 of Veil of Smoke

“Yeah,” I say, meeting his gaze. “Fear’s done—I’m past it.”

He reaches out, brushes my arm where the burn from the blast blisters red. “You’re hurt too.”

“It’s nothing,” I say, but his fingers linger, gentle on the raw patch, and my pulse kicks up, steady and strong.

“Bullshit,” he says, voice rough, pulling me closer. “You’re not nothing.”

I lean into him, my hand resting on his good side. “Neither are you,” I say, voice soft but firm.

Lightning cuts through the room again, sharp and brief. I feel the war in my veins—the cost of it, the fire we’ve lit, and I don’t pull back.

“You stitched me up,” he says, fingers tracing my wrist. “Kept me here.”

“Had to,” I say, looking at the gauze, the blood seeping faint at the edges. “We’re not done.”

“No,” he says, voice steady. “Not even close.”

Rain drums steady on the roof, a rhythm that matches my heartbeat. I shift closer, my knee brushing his, grounding me.

“I used to think I could hide,” I say, staring at the cracked wall. “Keep my head down, let it pass.”

“And now?” he asks, hand resting on my thigh, warm through my jeans.

“Now I fight,” I say, turning to him. “With you.”

He nods, a small motion, but it carries everything. “Good.”

The storm outside softens, rain tapering to a steady patter. I feel the quiet settle, heavy with what we’ve done, what’s still coming.

“They’ll try to hit us harder now,” I say, voice low, tracing the edge of the bed. “Caldera’s not playing anymore.”

“Let them,” he says, eyes fierce. “We’ve got teeth too.”

“Yeah,” I say, feeling that truth sink deep. “Sharp ones.”

He shifts, wincing again, and I grab his arm, steadying him. “Easy,” I say, voice soft. “You’re still bleeding.”

“Worth it,” he says, grinning faint but real. “For this—for you.”

I shake my head, a small laugh slipping out. “You’re crazy.”

“Maybe,” he says, leaning back, his hand still on mine. “But you’re here.”

“Yeah,” I say, squeezing his fingers. “I am.”

“We need a plan,” I say, voice firm. “Tomorrow.”

“Tonight,” he counters, eyes steady on mine. “We don’t wait.”

I nod, feeling the urgency spark. “Then we figure it out.”

He pulls me closer, his good arm wrapping around me. “Their routes—next place to hit”

“Yeah,” I say, resting against him, careful of his side. “And the supplier—I’m ending him.”

He nods, grip tightening. “We will.”

Thunder fades to a low growl, rain steady outside. I feel the fire in me, quiet but fierce, matching his.

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