Iris's POV

Campus felt louder than usual.

I sat on the low wall outside the science building between classes and opened my messages for the third time in ten minutes. The last text I’d sent Rafael was still sitting there unanswered, he had not reply. Before that, two other messages from yesterday evening had gone the same way. He was buried in Alpha work. I knew that. Council meetings, supply logistics, the kind of things that ate entire days, still knowing didn’t stop the restless edge under my skin.

I locked the phone and pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes. My skin felt too warm, like I’d...