utside. The silence inside the cabin was sudden and profou

eat. Her body, running on adrenaline

er face, looking for bruises, for scars. He lo

of the cabin. "We were mid-flight to London for a merger

a turned

ow of the fuselage, deep in the corner seat. He wa

ooke

he cabin see

the photos didn't do justice to the reality of him. He was dark-ha

look at his face. She

s bli

ght. It wasn't just light; it was merit. It was a force field of such in

walking

as cool, analytical. He didn't loo

His voice was a low bari

for years, draining her own spiritual reserves to survive the Grimes house. B

vy shadow on you

a guess, but specific enou

iffened. "S

He set the tablet down.

rd him. "There is a smudge on the light

lder, then back at her. Most people would have

e said simply. "Bur

ed between th

. She needed to recharge. Just being in this enclos

f. She couldn't just ask to t

her hand trembled slightly on the armrest. He saw the scratch on

d pulled out a handkerchief.

t. "Your hand

ed out. Her fingers brushed ag

a

p her arm, flooded her chest, and settled in her core. Her vision sharpened.

back as if burned. But it w

re for a second longer, staring at his own fing

u," she w

to her hand. It smelled lik

e shadows. But he didn't pick up his tablet

We'll be at the Manor in twent

were below them now. But she could still f