41. Kaia

The air carries a bitter chill, but I barely notice as I pace the length of my room. My shadows trail after me restlessly, their agitation matching the storm in my head. Mouse watches from my bed, his violet eyes tracking every movement, still tense from earlier. I needed some time to clear my head but I honestly think I’m just making it worse at this point. Like talking myself off a ledge that’s five miles down the road.

"He was right there," I mutter, running my fingers over my necklace. It hums against my throat, warmer than usual after tonight's chaos. "Thorne was pulling some shit all along, and I never really saw it."

I’m so stupid.

A soft knock interrupts my brooding and self loathing. Before I can decide whether to ignore it, Finn's voice filters through the door.

"I come bearing peace offerings. And snacks. Mostly snacks."

My shadows ripple toward the door eagerly, still keyed up from the chaos of the ball and Thorne’s betrayal. Even Mouse perks up, though he seems more alert than usual.

"Go away, Finn."

"See, I would, but Bob's already letting me in."

Sure enough, he’s slipped under the door and is now tugging at the handle from the other side. I throw my hands up in exasperation as the door swings open.

Finn stands there grinning, arms full of what looks like half the kitchen's worth of food. His easy demeanor, complete with that familiar sparkle of mischief in his eyes, is at odds with the faint bruise darkening his jaw—a mark from tonight's chaos. It’s as though he’s determined to brush off the tension with charm and a tray of sugar. "I figured we could all use a midnight feast after... you know, the whole 'evil professor' thing."

"We?" I ask, just as more footsteps echo down the hall.

Aspen appears first, carrying drinks and wearing an expression that manages to be both apologetic and determined. His water rune still shimmers faintly from earlier. Torric follows, his fire rune flickering with residual energy, and finally, Malrik materializes from the shadows themselves, because apparently near-death experiences haven't taught him to use doors like a normal person.

"No," I say firmly. "Absolutely not. I don't need an intervention."

"Good, because this isn't one," Finn says cheerfully, already spreading snacks across my desk. "This is just friends making sure you don't brood yourself into oblivion. While eating sugar."

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Nope!" He pops the 'p' sound, tossing me a package of my favorite cookies. "Besides, your shadows are already setting up a snack fort."

He's right. My traitorous shadows are arranging cushions in a loose circle, creating a cozy gathering space. Even Finnick is helping, though he seems to be mostly stealing cookies.

"Fine," I sigh, dropping onto a cushion. "Start talking."

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