Caitlin studied her mother for a long moment. She had doubts, but pressed them down, exhaling softly. “Whatever the truth is, Mom, you’ve suffered enough. We’ll leave Father for now. The Codex–I’ll take it back. You just rest. We’ve got an early start tomorrow.”

    After making sure Kelly would try to sleep, Caitlin slipped out of the room.

    Inside, Kelly sat in silence, the sorrow in her eyes gradually fading. She picked up the bedside phone, dialed another room, and murmured a string of strange words–like a code.

    Caitlin returned to her room, where Sebastian was already waiting in a bathrobe. Seeing her weary expression, he wrapped an arm around her waist. “You all right, Caitlinb?/b”

    She shook her head and pressed into his chest. “I found out where the second half of Yun’s Aromatic Codex olliis. /li/ol

    “Where?”

    “In D Country. We need to track down a bman /bnamed Hector.”

    “Hector? Another Thompson? What’s his rtion to Walter Thompson?”

    “My mother said he’s Walter’s half–brother. My grandfather’s illegitimate son. He stole the Codex from her.”

    Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “At least now we know. Once your brother’s cured, we’ll find Hector.”

    “Mm.”

    “Enough for tonight. Get some sleep. No more worrying.” He kissed her forehead gently. “I ran your bath already. Go.

    “Okay.”

    Later, after she washed and they curled up in bed together, peace settled over them.

    Across the hall, Zeke and Alicia shared a room.

    Alicia emerged from the bathroom, makeup scrubbed away, her face bare, her hair damp. yful and unguarded again, she was even more beautiful.

    Zeke sat on the sofa, pretending to read, but his heart pounded wildly when she walked toward him robe. He held the book upside down, hiding behind it.

    Alicia plucked it from his hands andughed. “What’s this? Can’t even look at me? bAm /bI that scary?”

    “No, I just…” Zeke flushed andughed nervously.

    E

    her

    She tilted her head, amused, but didn’t push. Instead, she nced at the room’s single bed. “Only one bed. How are we sleeping tonight?”

    “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor,” Zeke said immediately. He hadn’t booked another room on purpose. -he wanted the time with her.

    “That’s boring.” Alicia shot back.

    He coughed. “bWhat /bdo you mean?”

    “I mean, you’ve got two options. Either you hold me while we sleep, or I hold you. Which do you want?”

    Zeke broke into a grin. “Do I even need to choose?” He pulled her against him, his arm firm around her waist.

    Alicia tipped her bhead /bback, staring into his face. Her voice softened. “I still feel like this is a dream. Are you really here, or am I just imagining you?”

    “It’s real. But if you’re not sure… we could test it.” He brushed a tentative kiss against her lips, barely a touch.

    “That’s it? I didn’t feel anything. Too gentle.”

    She hooked her arms around his neck, plucked off his sses, and kissed him herself–longer, deeper. When she finally let him go, she asked, “Now do you get it?”

    “Not really. You’d better teach me again,” he murmured, his voice husky,

    The heat between them red.

    “Say you love me, idiot.”

    “I blove /byou.

    Then love me forever. Only me.” Her demand was fierce, almost childlike.

    “I’ll only ever love Alicia. No one else. Not in this life.”

    “Good boy. I love byou /btoo, Zeke.”

    Their kiss bturned /bhungry, urgent, impossible to break apart.

    “Do you want me?” she whispered.

    He hesitated.

    “What? You’re hesitating? Regretting this already? Fine, I’m leaving.” She pouted and tried to wriggle free.

    He grabbed her bback/b. “I don’t regret anything. I want you. More than anything.”

    Her lips curved into a smile, triumphant and tender. “Then I suppose I’ll allow it.”

    That night burned hot, fierce, and full ofughter.

    For the first time, Zeke understood what true love felt like. Alicia was fire–wild, bteasing/b, irresistible. She melted into himpletely, body and soul, and he had never felt so alive.

    So this is bwhat /bit feels like to love someone, he thought. And it was beautiful.

    The next morning, Sebastian’s arrangements went into effect.

    b今 /b

    One group, led by Tyler and backed by the Obsidian Order, would escort Kelly and James hack to the US.

    The other group–Caitlin, bSebastian/b, Zeke, and Alicia–headed for S Country with their escort.

    After a long flight, theynded at one of the Obsidian Order’s bases. Xero and his men were waiting in formation.

    “Sebastian! Caitlin! You made it,” Xero called out.

    “Good to see you bagain/b,” Caitlin said bwith /ba bnod/b.

    Xero’s smile froze when he spotted Alicia. “Alicia? You’re alive?”

    “That’s right. Sebastian said with a grin. “We found her.”

    Alicia walked up and punched Xero in the chest. “What’s with that look? bWere /byou hoping I’d stay dead?”

    “Ow! Zeke, control your demoness–she’s terrorizing people again!” Xero groaned dramatically.

    Zeke jer

    pulled Alicia close, his voice firm. “Call her a demon again, and you’ll regret it.”

    Xero threw his hands up. “Unbelievable. You’re already whipped.”

    Laughter rippled through the group.

    At the base, Alicia provided disguises. Soon the four of them were dressed as bodyguards of the O’Malley Family, Sebastian and Zeke’s men remained behind, while Xero assigned a bsquad /bto apany them.

    The convoy set out for Santa Aurelia.

    But Santa Aurelia was inside Graystone territory. To reach Aurelius, they would have to pass through Zorro’s domain. That was the first test.

    On the road, Xero shook his head, almostughing. “Tell me this isn’t bizarre. Zorro’s son Samir died, and now suddenly there’s ba /bdaughter? Word is she’s iming to be his child.”

    bCaitlin/b, Sebastian, and Zeke all froze, exchanging startled looks.

    Zeke’s voice was tight. “Her name?”

    “Zora.”

    Zeke’s chest clenched. His sister… She had run away from home straight into Zorro’s arms.