The ride away from campus was silent.
Not the calm kind of silence — the dangerous one.
Rafael drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting lightly on Anabeth's thigh, as if grounding himself there. His jaw stayed clenched, eyes fixed on the road, scanning mirrors more than necessary.
Cassian followed behind them in another car.
Always watching.
Always guarding.
Always too close for Rafael's comfort.
Anabeth felt it — the tension curling tight between the two men even without words. It pressed on her chest, made her breathe shallowly.
"You're gripping the wheel too hard," she said softly.
Rafael didn't look at her. "I should've pulled you out of campus weeks ago."
"You can't lock me away."
"I can," he replied quietly. "I won't — but I can."
That scared her more than he probably realized.
They turned onto the private road leading to the estate. Tall trees closed in around them, headlights slicing through darkness. For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then—
Rafael's phone buzzed.
Once.
Twice.
He glanced at it.
Cassian.
Rafael answered immediately, putting it on speaker.
"He's moving," Cassian said. No greeting. No explanation. "White hoodie. Same build. He crossed the south fence five minutes ago."
Anabeth's stomach dropped.
"Inside the estate?" Rafael asked, voice sharpening.
"Not yet," Cassian replied. "But he's close. Too close."
Rafael's hand tightened on her thigh, protective without thinking. "Lock down the perimeter."
"Already done."
They pulled into the driveway. Floodlights snapped on instantly, bathing the property in harsh white light. Guards moved into position, weapons concealed but ready.
Rafael parked and turned to her fully.
"You don't leave my side tonight," he said. Not angry. Not loud. Absolute.
She nodded.
Inside, the house felt different — heavier. Every sound echoed too loudly. Rafael led her straight upstairs, closing the bedroom door firmly behind them.
"Stay here," he ordered. "I'll check the rest of the house."
Her heart raced. "Don't leave me."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Rafael froze.
Then he crossed the room in two steps and pulled her into his chest, holding her tight. Not possessive — desperate.
"I won't," he promised into her hair. "I just need to make sure you're safe."
She nodded against him.
When he stepped away, she felt colder instantly.
Minutes stretched.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
Her breath caught.
Before she could think, the screen lit up again.
Unknown:
You look better scared.
Her blood turned to ice.
She didn't scream — she couldn't.
The door burst open.
Cassian.
"What's wrong?" he demanded.
She held up the phone with shaking hands.
Cassian's face changed instantly — the calm mask cracking into something lethal.
"Rafael," he said sharply into his earpiece. "He contacted her."
Rafael's voice exploded through the speaker. "What?"
"He texted her," Cassian continued. "He's close enough to see her."
Rafael was already running.
Cassian moved in front of Anabeth instinctively, body blocking the windows.
"Stay behind me," he said. "No matter what."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then the glass shattered.
A rock smashed through the window, landing on the floor near the bed.
Anabeth screamed.
Cassian reacted instantly — pushing her down, covering her with his body as alarms blared throughout the estate.
"Down!" he shouted into his comm. "East wing breach!"
Footsteps thundered through the hall.
Rafael burst into the room, fury written into every line of his face.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded, dropping to her level.
She shook her head, tears streaming. "He texted me… he said—"
"I know," Rafael said, voice shaking with restrained violence. "I know."
Cassian stood, eyes scanning the shattered window.
"He wanted to prove he could reach her," Cassian said. "This was a message."
Rafael rose slowly, every muscle coiled tight.
"No," he said coldly. "This was a mistake."
Sirens wailed outside the gate.
Rafael turned to Cassian. "Find him."
Cassian nodded. "I will."
Rafael grabbed Cassian's arm before he could leave.
"You come back alive," Rafael said quietly. "I don't care how angry you are at me."
Cassian met his gaze.
"I'm not angry," he said. "I'm focused."
Then he was gone.
Rafael locked the door and came back to her, kneeling in front of her again. His hands trembled as he cupped her face.
"You see why I'm jealous?" he whispered. "Why I don't want anyone else near you?"
She nodded, crying now. "I didn't know it would get this bad."
"I did," he admitted. "That's why I'm terrified."
He pressed his forehead to hers, breathing her in like he needed proof she was real.
"I will burn the world if it keeps you safe," he murmured.
Outside, somewhere in the darkness…
Cassian ran.
And the shadow that had been watching her for weeks finally realized something:
Anabeth was no longer alone.
She was protected.
And that made her more dangerous than ever.