Ariella POV
she walked back toward the SUV — fingers brushing the back door handle — but her mind wasn't here.
that wasn't scavenger residue.
scavengers felt dirty. broken. hungry.
this was clean. structured. refined.
Kai's voice drifted from behind her — closer than she thought:
"hey—" he said quietly, low enough only she would hear, "—you good?"
she didn't look at him.
"yeah."
Kai scoffed once — a soft sound — not mocking, just calling her out.
"bad liar."
she blinked at him — finally lifting her gaze.
Kai leaned slightly on the pump frame — crowbar balancing against his shoulder — and he looked at her like he was trying to read the space between her words.
she exhaled.
"it's just… I don't like the idea of another group with awakened resonance."
Kai shrugged, jaw flexing.
"then beat them to the finish line."
Ariella stared at him — no sarcasm, no joke — he actually believed that.
he always did.
like the world bends if he pushes hard enough.
Arden called it "arrogance."
Jace called it "denial."
Nox called it "reckless."
but Ariella had seen him in quiet moments.
he wasn't reckless.
he was just unwilling to admit he cared.
Kai tapped her forearm with one finger — quick — intentional — like a punctuation mark.
"we're faster. we'll prove it."
he moved back toward the SUV before she could reply — leaving her with that.
---
Kai POV
he hated seeing that look on her face.
fear.
she hid it well — better than anyone — but he felt it in the way her breathing paused when she said "multiple."
Kai tightened the grip on the crowbar.
if anyone touches her—
he shook that thought off.
Alva approached him — voice even, chin lifted.
"they're not ahead of us by much."
Kai nodded.
"but ahead is enough."
Arden raised his voice, projecting across the station:
"we move as soon as tanks are capped. no regroup stop for at least 50 kilometers."
Jace waved two filled cans.
"diesel side done."
Nox double checked the straps.
the convoy was ready.
---
Ariella POV
she slid back into her seat — window slightly cracked — wind brushing her cheek.
and she could still feel the echo.
far away now
but not gone.
whoever they are—
they know the path too.
she shut her eyes once — slow.
then opened them sharper.
"let's go."
---
convoy pulled out.
engines rumbling.
tires spitting gravel.
the road wasn't empty anymore — not mentally — not strategically — not spiritually.
this wasn't just traveling now.
this was a race.
and at the end of that race?
power
survival
answers
and maybe—
if she let herself admit it—
someone to fall for.