Chapter 45

Chapter 45
Don’t you ever knock?” Leighton asked, his voice low.

Kael smiled faintly. “I did. You just didn’t like what you heard.”
Leighton’s jaw clenched. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“And you should?” Kael said. “Funny, I didn’t see your name on her door.”

“Both of you, stop,” I said quietly. My voice was small but it seemed they heard me because they paused. 

Leighton’s eyes softened a little as he turned to me. “You need rest.”
Kael’s gaze followed mine. “She needs peace, orders being thrown around.”

Leighton stepped forward. “Peace doesn’t come when someone breaks into her room.”

Kael didn’t move this time. He just stared at him, then back at me. “I only came to check on my best friend. Make sure she’s really okay.”
“I’m fine,” I said softly, even though I wasn’t sure if that was true.

Leighton finally looked away, the muscles in his jaw relaxing a little. “You should go, Kael.”

Kael’s eyes stayed on me. “If she tells me to.”
They both looked at me then. Waiting.

For a second, I couldn’t speak. My throat was dry, my heart pounding too fast.
“Please,” I said slowly. “No more fighting tonight.”

Kael gave a small nod and stepped back from the door. “Fine.” His voice was quiet but something in it felt like a promise. “Goodnight, Omari.”

Leighton didn’t say anything as Kael left. The moment the door closed, the air shifted again, lighter but still charged.

Leighton turned back to me. His face looked tired, softer now. “You shouldn’t let him get too close.”
I looked up at him. “He saved my life plus he's my best friend”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I know. But Kael, he’s dangerous in ways you haven't seen yet.”

“you just don’t like him,” I said before I could stop myself.
His eyes locked with mine. “Maybe that’s true,” he said quietly. “But it doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

He moved closer again, sitting on the edge of my bed. The space between us disappeared.

“I meant what I said,” he whispered. “Don’t scare me like that again.”

The warmth in his voice, the way his eyes held mine, it made my heart ache.
“Leighton” I whispered.

His hand brushed against mine, slow and uncertain, like he wasn’t sure if he should. But when our fingers touched, it felt like the world outside the room faded.

His eyes softened even more. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
My breath caught. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t even know what I felt.

But before I could answer, a sharp knock broke through the silence.
Leighton froze. The door opened halfway, and Paxton stepped in, his voice tense. “We need you.”

Leighton stood immediately, his eyes darkening. “What happened?”

Paxton glanced at me, then back at him. “It’s Father. He wants everyone downstairs.”
Leighton nodded once, his jaw tight. “I’ll be right there.”

When Paxton left, Leighton turned to me again. “Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone else.”
I nodded.
Then he was gone too.

I sat there for a moment, the silence loud around me. My heart wouldn’t stop beating fast. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm it down, but it didn’t help.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kael’s face. Then Leighton’s. Then the glow of those red eyes from the rogue.
I didn’t know which scared me more anymore.

After a few minutes, I got up and went to the window. The night outside was dark and still. The moon hid behind thick clouds.

I could see Kael down by the gates, talking with one of the guards. Even from here, I could tell he was angry. His movements were sharp, his shoulders tense.

A soft sound behind me made me turn. It was just the wind blowing the curtain, but my heart jumped anyway. I sighed and went back to bed. 
Sleep didn’t come easy. My body was tired, but my mind wouldn’t stop running.

What did the guard mean when he said I was “marked”?
Why were the rogues after me?
And why did it feel like something was changing inside me?
By the time I finally drifted off, a lot of time had already flown by

The next morning, the house was quiet again, but it didn’t feel peaceful. It felt like everyone was pretending to be fine.

The maids cleaned the broken things. The guards repaired the door. Someone even replaced the shattered lights in the hallway.
But under all of it, I could still feel the fear.

Mom found me sitting at the kitchen counter, staring at a cup of tea I hadn’t touched.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” she said softly.
I forced a smile. “Morning.”

She looked tired but she smiled anyway. “I spoke to your step father . He’s proud of how brave you were.”
I didn’t feel brave. I just felt tired. Maybe I should have just died. 

My mother's face went pale. I almost wondered if I said it out loud. Her smile faded. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.”
“Because of them,” I said quietly. “The triplets. And Kael.”
She nodded slowly. “Yes. I owe them everything.”

Then she surprised me by adding, “Kael’s staying for a while. Until things settle down.”
I looked up fast. “He’s what?”

“He insisted,” she said. “And after last night, your stepfather agreed. He said it’s better to have more hands to protect the house.”
My stomach twisted. “The triplets won’t like that.”

“I know,” she said softly. “But sometimes what we need and what we like aren’t the same thing.”
Before I could answer, heavy footsteps entered the room.

It was Paxton. He didn’t look at Kael’s seat, empty for now but I could feel his irritation. “You shouldn’t be downstairs alone,” he said flatly.
Mom smiled faintly. “She’s fine, Paxton.”

He ignored her and turned to me. “Come on. Ashton wants everyone in the yard.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Training,” he said. “Father’s orders.”

I blinked. “Training? After what happened?”
“Exactly,” he said, his tone cold. “After what happened.”

Outside, the sun was already up, but the air still smelled metallic. Remnants of last night's disaster. 

Leighton stood near the edge of the yard, his hands on his hips. Ashton was giving orders to the guards.
When Kael walked out of the mansion, everyone went still.

He wore a clean shirt this time, but the look in his eyes was the same. Sharp. Almost taunting.
Paxton muttered something under his breath. “Unbelievable.”

Kael stopped near me and smiled slightly. “Sleep okay?”
I nodded slowly. “A little.”
Leighton’s voice cut through. “If you’re done chatting, we’re starting.”

Kael’s grin grew. “Good. I was hoping for that.”
Ashton gave a short nod. “We’ll need to run drills. Be ready if they come back.”
The next hour felt like having the air ripped from my lungs. 

Every move Kael made seemed to draw one of the triplets’ glares. Every time I turned, someone was watching me, sometimes Kael, sometimes Leighton. Even Ashton’s calm eyes looked a little darker than usual.

It wasn’t just training anymore. It was something else. A silent fight none of them would admit to.
And me, stuck right in the center.

At one point, Kael’s hand brushed mine as he handed me a training knife . The touch was light, but it sent heat rushing up my arm.
Leighton saw it. His jaw clenched.

Paxton’s voice came from across the yard. “Keep your hands to yourself, boy.”
Kael smirked. “You sound jealous.”
Paxton’s eyes darkened. “You wish.” he huffed and rolled his eyes 

Ashton’s calm voice broke through again. “Enough.” But even he looked tense now.
I didn’t know what to say. I could only feel the tension between us. I could feel the butterflies too.