Chapter 203: Things Are Going Sideways Out There

Chapter 203: Things Are Going Sideways Out There

Evelyn's POV

I didn't move closer. Just stood there, caught my breath, then used the calmest voice I could manage. "Magnus. Listen to me."

His eyes landed on my face for a second.

One second.

I saw it—something flickered behind that blank stare. Like watching a crack form in glass. Then it sealed back up, and the emptiness returned.

He started walking toward me.

Steady. Deliberate. Every step screaming threat.

I held my ground.

When he got close enough, I shifted and grabbed his arm. Not trying to hold him back—I knew how that would go—just making contact.

I pressed my palm over the back of his hand. The one still gripping the charm.

The thing was burning hot now. I could feel it through his clenched fist. I leaned in, got close to his ear, dropped my voice low. Could've been saying anything. Could've been a secret.

"You don't belong to anyone," I said. "You're Magnus. You're you."

The last piece of the spell came out.

Old words, strange rhythm. Like trying to pull something back from a long way off. Magnus's whole body jerked—not pain, something else. Something breaking loose inside.

The charm flared white.

Magnus hit his knees.

Silent drop. One second standing, next second down. Like someone cut the power. I stepped back. Watched him kneel there, breathing hard.

Right side of the corridor—same sound. Knees on concrete.

Done. Freya's voice came through ragged. My end's done. He's out.

YES! Mark barely kept it down.

Quiet. Cyrus, instant. We're not clear yet.

I know, I know. Mark said. But come on, this is—

I cut them off. Focused on Magnus.

He looked up at me. Eyes blank. Unfocused. Like he'd surfaced too fast and couldn't orient yet.

Then he actually saw me.

First instinct—still treating me like danger.

Hand came up, ready to shove. Still moving with that weird controlled precision. I was backing up when footsteps hit the corridor.

Orion ran in.

One look at Magnus on the ground. Didn't speak. Just turned and signaled toward the right side. Couple seconds later, Freya showed up half-carrying Lucian.

Lucian looked rough. Feet working but not quite coordinating. Like his brain was still reconnecting to his body.

Four of us. Narrow corridor. Tight space.

Orion dropped into a crouch in front of his brothers. No words. Just locked eyes with them.

I knew what he was doing.

Triplet thing. That bond went deeper than talking. Faster too. Direct transmission—you're real, I'm real, this is real, we made it.

Maybe ten seconds. Magnus's hand dropped.

He stared at Orion. That empty look started draining out of his eyes. Confusion took its place. Exhaustion. Lucian squeezed his eyes shut, pulled in a long breath, opened them again.

There. That was him.

Actually him. Not the puppet. Lucian.

He glanced around. Looked at his palm where the charm sat cooling. Looked at me. Voice came out distant. "Felt like... someone put a bag over your head but you can still see through it. Everything's happening but you're not making it happen. You want to yell and nothing comes out."

Paused. Rubbed his temple. "Sucked."

Magnus didn't say anything.

Just stood. Knees probably screaming at him but he didn't show it. Walked straight to me. Before I could process, he pulled me into a hug.

Not gentle.

Full strength. Like he was trying to anchor himself to something solid.

I froze. Brain completely offline for a second.

He let go. Stepped back. Stared at the floor. "Thank you." Voice rough.

I rubbed where his arms had basically crushed my ribs. "...Heads up next time would be great."

Did this guy forget his own strength? Nearly broke something.

"Didn't know what to say." Magnus still looking down. Ears red. "Just wanted to."

"He's used maybe fifteen words since he got here," Lucian said. "This is basically him pouring his heart out."

I glanced at Lucian. Guy bounced back fast. Controlled for weeks and he's already cracking jokes.

Orion stood, jerked his chin toward the door. "Alright, things are going sideways out there. We need to move."

Perfect timing. Acacia's voice carried in from the hall.

Asking where Magnus and Lucian went.

Her tone already fraying at the edges. That specific sound of someone holding it together by threads.

I turned to the three of them. "Ready?"

Magnus and Lucian traded looks. Magnus gave one nod. Straightened his collar. Lucian pulled in a breath, slid that perfect social smile into place.

Orion squeezed Magnus's shoulder. Kept his voice down. "Don't say anything. Just let her dig her own hole."

I didn't wait for them. Walked into the hall first.