Chapter 392

XENOIS

My phone buzzed. A message from Marcus: *Security reports suspicious activity near the school. Nothing concrete, but guards are on alert.*

Perfect. Because apparently even planning a romantic evening required navigating potential threats.

I was responding when my door opened again. This time it was Thorne, looking slightly disheveled and very satisfied.

"Before you say anything," he started, "Rivers and I were conducting important cross-territory coordination meetings."

"Is that what we're calling it?" I asked dryly.

"It's a perfectly legitimate use of diplomatic resources," Thorne defended.

"Diplomatic resources," I repeated.

"The portal was established for cross-territory cooperation," he pointed out. "Rivers and I are cooperating. Very thoroughly."...