Chapter Fifty-Seven
The suite was still warm from the day’s sunlight when they stepped inside, sand clinging to their feet, laughter still lingering from the cove. Avery was halfway to the shower when she noticed the folded envelope on the table by the door.
Her name was written on the front in neat, looping script.
She frowned, picking it up. “This wasn’t here when we left.”
Lucien was already moving toward her, his expression sharpening. “Let me see.”
Avery unfolded the note, her eyes scanning the words. The handwriting was precise, but the message made her stomach tighten.
To our valued guests,
Earlier today, the front desk received a phone call from an individual asking for “five people on their honeymoon.” They did not provide names, only that description, and requested your room number.
Per our policy, we do not give out guest information. When our receptionist informed the caller of this, the individual became verbally aggressive and threatening.
Due to the nature of the call, our Director has forwarded a recording of the conversation to the Council for review and has filed an incident report. We have also been instructed to contact Ms. Avery’s parents immediately.
Please advise if you wish to speak with the Director directly.
— Guest Services
Avery’s fingers tightened on the paper. “They didn’t even know our names.”
Kael’s jaw flexed. “But they knew enough to find the resort.”
Molly stepped closer, her hand brushing Avery’s arm. “And they knew we were here together.”
Riven’s eyes narrowed, his voice low. “The Council will have the recording by now. We’ll know who it was soon enough.”
Lucien took the note from Avery, scanning it again before setting it down with deliberate care. “The important thing is they didn’t get through. The staff handled it.”
Avery nodded, but her chest felt tight. “They’re contacting my parents.”
Molly’s voice was gentle. “That’s a good thing. They’ll want to know you’re safe.”
Riven moved to the window, looking out over the darkening beach. “Whoever it was, they were desperate enough to get sloppy. That means they’re worried. And that means we have the advantage.”
Kael’s gaze softened as he looked at Avery. “We’ll deal with it. Together.”
Lucien stepped in front of her, tilting her chin up until she met his eyes. “You’re not alone in this. Not now. Not ever.”
Avery exhaled slowly, the knot in her chest loosening just a little. “I know. I just… I hate that they tried to find us here. This was supposed to be ours.”
Molly slipped her arm around Avery’s waist. “It still is. They don’t get to take that from us.”
The five of them stood together in the quiet suite, the sound of the waves drifting in through the open doors. Outside, the last of the lanterns swayed in the breeze. Inside, the bond between them felt like a shield — warm, unbreakable, and ready for whatever came next.
Avery looked at each of them in turn and thought, They can try to find us. But they’ll never break us.
The note still sat on the table, its neat handwriting at odds with the unease it carried. Avery stared at it for a moment longer before Kael stepped into her line of sight.
“Hey,” he said softly, his smile warm and unshaken. “Come here.”
Before she could protest, he swept her into a loose, swaying embrace — part dance, part hug, part shield from the weight in her chest. His chin rested lightly on her hair, his voice a low murmur. “Everything’s going to be alright. You’ve got us. All of us.”
Avery let herself sink into him, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding her. “You always sound so sure.”
“That’s because I am,” Kael said, pulling back just enough to grin at her. “We’ve faced worse. And we’ve always come out stronger.”
Across the room, Lucien and Riven were a study in focus — phones pressed to their ears, voices low but firm.
Lucien’s tone was clipped, precise. “Yes, Auron, we’ll be ready. I want the Council to have eyes on the recording before we arrive.”
Riven’s voice was quieter, but no less intense. “Dean Errol, we’ll need the portal prepped on our end. No delays. And make sure the decoy routes are convincing.”
They moved like a well-oiled machine, trading quick glances and nods as they coordinated. The plan was already taking shape — vehicles rotated, departure times staggered, routes altered. To anyone watching, it would look like they were splitting up, traveling separately.
In reality, they’d all step through the same portal, together, unseen.
Kael kept Avery close, his hands warm against her back. “They’ve got the logistics. I’ve got you.”
She smiled faintly. “You make it sound so simple.”
“It is,” he said, eyes bright. “We protect each other. That’s the whole plan.”
Lucien ended his call first, slipping his phone into his pocket and crossing to them. “Auron’s on board. The Council will have the recording tonight.”
Riven joined them a moment later, his expression easing just slightly. “Dean Errol’s prepping the portal. We’ll leave tomorrow as scheduled — at least, that’s what everyone will think.”
Avery glanced between them. “And no one will know we’re traveling together?”
Lucien’s mouth curved in a small, confident smile. “No one who matters.”
Riven’s gaze softened as it met hers. “We’re not taking chances with you. Not now. Not ever.”
Kael gave her one last squeeze before releasing her, though his hand lingered at her waist. “See? Everything’s handled.”
Avery looked at the three of them — Lucien’s calm certainty, Riven’s quiet vigilance, Kael’s unshakable optimism — and felt the knot in her chest loosen.
They were already moving forward. Already making sure she was safe.
And as the evening settled around them, she realized that whatever waited on the other side of that portal, they’d face it the same way they faced everything else.
Together.