Naomi’s Pov

The kitchen was warm, lit with the soft yellow bulbs that flickered every few seconds. The safehouse wasn’t built for comfort, but something about the morning light made it feel gentler than it had any right to be.

The three girls sat at the table tired, stiff, blinking into their cups of warm tea like they didn’t trust anything in front of them.

I understood that feeling.

Cassian stood near the counter, watching them with a tightness in his jaw he didn’t bother hiding. His shoulders were tense, but not in the same way as last night. This was… different. Protective. Careful. Like he didn’t want his presence...