pte

adows an

tions thinned into murmurs, then into breaths. Something was coiling in the air

the back, noticed the dance was all muscle memory now. Sophia was present, but she was being pulled away by something or someone. Fred did more than just enter; he also took over space. Black leather jack

what she saw wasn't just history. It was unfinished business. Dangerous, unresolved, magne

ight. Normally, he'd be muttering curses or snide comments, but tonight

. A signal. A warning. It mea

on of gravity. Everything rearranged around him. Fred stiffene

uel's hand brushed the envelope Don had slipped him earlier a file marked "OP: DUSK DO

than intention. But before she could reach Sophia

. Mimi had two businesses on the same street "Mimi's Mane Magic" for the ladies, and "Blades & Fades" for the men. Both were jus

lared she had no time for modesty. Kelvin's eyes lit up he always lit up for

'all look like ghosts just touched your wallets!"

tight sound but it loosen

the mouth, and then turned to give Samuel a wink. "

ecret flame, emerged from the hallway. He saw Mimi

caffeine-fueled bird, always thinking she was in the know. "Sophia, your lashes uneven," Rose whispered, loud enough for half the clu

e fire alarms during a drill hoping it's

om tensed. Mimi sto

something, honey, no one owns a damn thing unless Sophia gi

bling now, to

talk to Samu

silence that followed, Kelvi

, Sophia faced Samue

rrakesh. I was intoxicated. But someone whispered to me bef

s jaw ti

hat's why I

nished inside. She felt the shape of her future shift

t the target

t the kind that comforts,

hroughout it all. People glanced at one another without reason, suddenly aware of things they hadn't

could. Every step seemed to be an unanswered question, and every beat felt off by a breath. Fred's arrival poured gasoline on quiet dread. The crowd didn't know his

ke a sniper tracks a moving target, waiting for the perfect moment. The only sound from

People glanced over their shoulders, sensing a tide no one could name. When Samuel entered