... Sira stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her chest. Her blue hair clung to her shoulders in loose curls. Aēllion had been standing by the wall, trying very hard not to look in her direction. The moment he noticed her, he jumped a little and turned toward the window. “I should wait outside,” he said. “You are still getting dressed.” Sira shook her head with an amused smile. “Relax. I am fine.” She tapped a small device on her wrist. A soft light flashed over her body. The towel vanished. Her outfit formed on her skin in a smooth shift of color and texture. It looked like the clothes grew out of thin air. Aēllion stared in shock. “Where did the towel go?” Sira laughed. “It is in the device. The tech on my wrist stores cloth data. Once something is scanned, I can change into it whenever I want. It is fancy tech for a fancy girl like me.” Aēllion’s eyes brightened with wonder. “That is so cool.” She flicked water from her hair and moved toward the fr

... Aēllion stood in the middle of the lounge, totally freaking out, every muscle locked. The two officers walked toward him in a straight line, their boots hitting the polished floor with a steady rhythm. Aēllion felt the air tighten around him. His thoughts tumbled in wild panic. Sira's father must have called them. Maybe they scanned the hotel. Maybe they know my heat signature already. Maybe they are here for me. Shit! What do I do? The taller officer lifted his eyes. They met Aēllion’s face and paused. The officer sighed as though he had been looking for this hallway for hours. “Listen kid,” he said, his voice rough but not unkind. “Do you know where North Aviary Passage is? My buddy here got us lost.” Aēllion blinked. He did not understand at first. The taller officer simply stood there waiting, exhausted and slightly annoyed. Then the other officer snapped, “Maybe we would not be lost, Zhorien, if you had called the guy we were supposed to meet. But nooo. You

Aēllion blinked. “Is that a bad question?” Luma tried not to laugh. “Not bad. Very Aelly-Hal.” Sira sighed, but her smile softened the sound. “Come on. Let's get you cleaned up before you find more trouble.” “You still haven't answered my question,” Aēllion said. “We will finish that conversation once you stop bleeding,” Sira replied. “And I need to inform Calviox and Threi that we found you. So move.” He nodded and walked with them toward the elevator. As they moved, he told them everything. He told them how he got lost in all the twisting hallways. He told them how he met Myla and how the two men had chased her. He told them how he tried to walk away but somehow found himself standing between her and danger. Sira listened with one eyebrow raised. Luma listened with wide eyes that seemed to grow rounder every few steps. By the time they reached the lift, the tension had faded, replaced by tired relief. The world still felt strange to Aēllion, but he no longer felt alone

Sira landed the mini ship in the open parking platform beside the Pulse District. The pad glowed with faint blue light under the wheels, and the larger transport lanes pulsed above in long, shining rows. The ship settled with a quiet thrum. Once the engines cooled, the side door slid open and the group stepped into the warm night air. The glow from the district washed over them at once. Shifting colors ran along the tall buildings in waves that rose and fell like the city had a heartbeat of its own. The music from the club carried through the streets in a steady vibration that drew people forward. The walkway ahead was crowded with visitors lined in bright clothes. The smell of mixed drinks, heated spices, rain from earlier, and some kind of sweet vapor drifted through the air. Sira walked in front, already confident among the noise and lights. Aēllion stayed close, unsure of where to look. Calviox walked with his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets and his usual heavy gait. Lum

"Awesome,” I replied. She raised one eyebrow. “But…” I stood still. “But what?” Threi leaned back in her chair and folded her arms while the virtual screens hovered behind her shoulder like quiet witnesses. “But I am not doing it for free.” Her words slowed my heartbeat. “Not doing it for free? You want me to pay you in some way?” She scoffed and waved her hand. “I don’t need money, chill man. I just need you to fix things with Sira later. I know you are upset about what she said, but she was drunk out of her mind.” I sighed. My chest felt tight. I did not know how to respond. Threi didn't stop. She pointed at me with a lazy but sharp gesture. “You saw it. We all saw it. If you walk out now, she'll be heartbroken. So you have to stay until she apologizes and you two talk things out.” I froze where I stood. Her demand pressed against me even though her tone stayed soft. I could not tell if she was being kind or not. “That's my price. If you want my help, you keep the p