Kieran hadn't spoken a word since Rael showed up.
Leo watched from across the rooftop, arms crossed, trying to read the storm behind Kieran's silence.
"You gonna tell me what he is?" Leo finally asked.
Kieran exhaled slowly. "Rael… used to be my partner."
Leo blinked. "Partner like—?"
"Not like that." A bitter smile. "We were both dogs for the Crimson Vow. Same rank. Same missions. But he liked the leash."
Leo sat beside him. "So why is he here?"
"To test me. Watch me. Maybe... convince me to come back. Maybe kill me if I don't."
Leo's stomach turned. "And you're just going to let him hover around school like some casual classmate?"
Kieran looked down at his bruised knuckles. "If Rael's here, it means they're not done with me. Or with us."
---
That afternoon, Rael cornered Leo near the library steps.
"You're Leo, right?"
Leo nodded slowly. "Yeah. What do you want?"
Rael smiled faintly. "Nothing. Just wanted to meet the guy who made Kieran soft."
Leo didn't flinch. "You don't scare me."
"Good," Rael said, stepping closer. "But you should be scared for him. Because the next move isn't mine."
He turned and walked off, leaving Leo with a chill running down his spine.