The market smelled like smoke and salt air now that the Domain was gone. Registry medics swarmed, patching cuts, handing out blankets. Civilians gave statements, voices shaky with relief. Kai's back burned from the goblin claws, but the borrowed Sync Pulse had kept it from going deeper. He flexed his hand—Aria's fingers still laced through his, loose but there.
Mina stood a few steps away, talking to a medic, but her eyes kept flicking to them. Proud, worried, trying not to hover.
Juno hadn't moved from the barrier. Crown leathers perfect, posture straight, but his knuckles were white on the tablet.
Shen tapped it once more, then looked up. "Probationary contract is live. You'll both be housed in the Spire, mid-level quarters. Training schedule starts tomorrow. Gear, stipends, gate access—all standard for synced assets."
Kai snorted. "Assets again."
Shen didn't blink. "Accurate terminology."
Aria finally let go of his hand. The tether hummed—distance tolerance up to five meters now, maybe more. Progress.
She faced Juno. "The offer. Repeat it."
Juno's smile was thin. "Executive board wants you on the elite track. Solo clears, S-rank gates, full Crown backing. The… anomaly can be managed separately. Contained. Studied." His eyes slid to Kai, cold. "You'd be free."
Free. The word landed heavy.
Kai felt the bond tug—sharp, like a warning. Sync Efficiency dipped a fraction.
Aria didn't hesitate. "No."
Juno blinked. "Aria—"
"I said no." Quieter, but steel in it. "We're a pair. Deal with it."
Shen's tablet chimed softly. She glanced at it, expression shifting—just a flicker. "Noted. Contract binds both. Refusal of severance is logged."
Mina stepped up then, small but steady. "My boy saved lives today. Including mine. You people gonna treat him right, or do I need to start making calls?"
Shen actually looked startled. Dockside moms didn't usually talk to Crown execs like that.
Kai grinned despite the ache. "Ma, it's fine."
"It's not fine till you're home safe." She hugged him again, careful of the wounds. "And eating real food."
Rook appeared from the crowd—when had he gotten here?—nodding to Mina like they were old friends. "Ironwake's got an open door if Crown gets too shiny for you."
Shen shot him a look. "Consultant."
Rook shrugged. "Just saying."
They loaded into separate vans this time—Kai with Mina for a drop-off, Aria with Crown escort. The tether stretched, but held. No Strain yet.
Mina squeezed his hand in the back seat. "That girl—she's the Ice Queen, huh? Looks like she thawed a little."
Kai rubbed his neck. "Working on it."
"You like her."
"Ma."
"What? A mom notices." She smiled, tired but real. "Be careful, Kai. Power like that… it changes people."
He nodded. Didn't trust his voice.
Drop-off at their apartment—old building, peeling paint, but home. Crown stipend already hit his account: enough to clear the debts and then some. He transferred it before the van pulled away.
Back in the Spire by evening. New quarters—bigger than the monitored cell, two real bedrooms, shared training room with padded floors and holo-targets. Aria was already there, changed into fresh leathers, hair damp from a shower.
She didn't look up when he walked in. "Stipend came through?"
"Yeah. Debts gone." He dropped his bag. "Thanks for… not taking the out."
Aria finally met his eyes. "Wasn't an out. Was a cage with better paint."
Kai exhaled. "Partners, then?"
She nodded once. "Partners."
The system chimed—soft, mutual.
[Stage 2: Partners — Active
Passive unlocked: Shared Perception (brief sensory link, voluntary)
Dual Cast control: Basic → Intermediate (reduced backlash)
Distance tolerance: 10 meters]
Warmth spread through the tether. Not pain. Something steadier.
They stood there a beat.
Aria broke it. "Training room's stocked. We test the new cast before they throw us at something worse."
Kai grinned. "Thought you'd never ask."
They sparred light—him with a practice blade, her channeling controlled arcs. First few fusions fizzled. Then one clicked: his slash wrapped in lightning, cut clean through a holo-dummy without scorching the floor.
Backlash hit—mild dizziness, shared.
"Better," Aria said, breathing hard. "We can work with that."
Hours blurred. Sweat, corrections, small laughs when a cast went wrong and singed his hair.
Midnight. They collapsed on the mats, water bottles between them.
Kai stared at the ceiling. "Juno's not gonna let this go."
"No," Aria admitted. "He thinks he owns what's his."
"You're not his."
She was quiet long enough he thought she wouldn't answer.
"I know," she said finally. "But Crown does. Or thinks it does."
The lights dimmed automatically. City glow through the windows.
Kai rolled onto his side, facing her across the mats. "We'll figure it out. Together."
Aria's eyes softened—just a fraction. "Together."
Sleep tugged. The tether felt… calm.
Then his comm buzzed. Unknown number. Text only.
Unknown: Dockside's not done with you. Velvet Knife sends regards. Watch your back—and hers.
Attached: a photo.
Mina, walking home from the market drop-off, unaware of the shadow tailing her three steps behind.
Kai sat up fast, heart slamming.
Aria was already on her feet, reading over his shoulder.
The tether burned—anger shared, sharp and bright.
(To be continued…)