APRILS POV
The following days felt like a test of my patience and resolve. Every tick of the clock reminded me of Cassius’s absence, a steady pulse of longing I couldn’t entirely suppress. The bar was busier than usual tonight, and the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses provided a rhythm I could lose myself in. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, my mind always wandered back to him.
I missed him. The realization hit me harder than I wanted to admit. Cassius had carved a space in my life without my permission, without me even noticing until he was gone. His absence left a quiet ache, an emptiness I tried to fill by throwing myself into work, but even that wasn’t enough.
Snow stirred within me, her voice soft but firm. “You can’t avoid this forever, April. He’s not like the others.”
I wiped down the bar, ignoring her. “I’ve done just fine on my own,” I muttered under my breath, ensuring no one else could hear.
“Have you? Look around. You’re standing still, waiting for something to change, but you’re too scared to take the step yourself.”
The truth in her words stung, but I wasn’t ready to admit it. Not yet.
—
The night dragged on, and the air inside the bar felt heavier than usual. The faces that passed through were strangers, drifters stopping for a drink or a moment of respite. But a tension was simmering beneath it all, a storm brewing just out of sight.
It wasn’t long before I felt them again-the rogues. I’d caught sight of them a few times over the past few days, always on the edge of my awareness, their presence like shadows that refused to dissipate. They didn’t seem to know who I was, but their constant proximity was unsettling.
Tonight, though, it felt different.
The door swung open, and two of them walked in, their movements deliberate, their eyes scanning the room. I straightened, gripping the edge of the counter as a chill ran down my spine. They didn’t acknowledge me at first, but I could feel their attention lingering, the weight of their stares heavy against my skin.
“Two beers,” one of them said, his voice gruff as he slid into a seat at the bar.
I nodded, moving to pour their drinks, my mind racing. Snow was silent now, her focus sharp, and I could feel her readiness simmering beneath the surface.
Stay calm, I told myself. They didn’t know who I was.
Yet, as I placed their drinks in front of them, the taller one spoke again, his tone casual but pointed. “You work here every night?”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Most nights.”
His companion leaned forward, resting his elbows on the bar. “You notice anything unusual lately? Maybe some people who don’t quite belong?”
My heart skipped, but I kept my expression neutral. “It’s a bar. People come and go. I don’t pay much attention.”
The taller one exchanged a glance with his friend, then smirked. “Smart. Keeping your head down.”
I shrugged, forcing myself to focus on cleaning a nearby glass. “Pays the bills.”
They didn’t say much after that, but their presence lingered, an oppressive weight that refused to lift. I busied myself with other customers, keeping an ear on their low conversation.
“We’ve been searching for days,” one of them muttered. “No sign of them anywhere.”
“They wouldn’t just disappear,” the other replied. “Not without someone noticing. Someone knows something.”
Their frustration was palpable, and I could feel Snow pushing at the edges of my control, her instincts sharp and ready. “They’re looking for their own,” she said. “But they’re getting closer to the truth. We can’t let them connect the dots.”
—
When the bar finally emptied out, I lingered by the window, staring into the night. The street was quiet, the only movement coming from the occasional flicker of shadows in the alley. The rogues had left hours ago, but the tension they brought still clung to the air.
Cassius’s warriors were nearby-I could feel them even if I couldn’t see them. Knowing they were there was a strange comfort, even if they stayed hidden. Cassius had done that for me, and he had left his people to watch over me while he was away.
I sighed, leaning against the counter as Snow’s voice broke the silence. “You’re thinking about him again.”
“Of course I am,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know how he did it, Snow. How he managed to break through everything I built to protect myself.”
“Because he’s different.”
I shook my head. “I’ve heard that before.”
“Not like this.”
Snow’s certainty was unwavering, and I hated how much I agreed with her. Cassius was different. He didn’t push, didn’t demand. He just… stayed. He showed up. And even when I tried to push him away, he stayed close enough to let me know I wasn’t alone.
“I’m not ready to tell him,” I said softly. “Not yet.”
“You will be.”
I closed my eyes, letting her words settle. Maybe she was right. Perhaps I was closer than I thought.
—
The night stretched on, and the quiet became oppressive. I locked up the bar and stepped into the cool air, the scent of rain lingering in the breeze. As I walked home, my senses stayed sharp, every shadow and sound amplified in the silence.
I didn’t get far before I felt it-the unmistakable presence of the rogues. My steps slowed, and I turned down an alley, letting the darkness swallow me. Snow surged to the surface, ready for a fight, but I held her back.
The rogues didn’t follow. They lingered at the edge of my awareness, their movements uncertain and hesitant. And then they were gone, their footsteps fading into the night.
I released a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, relief washing over me. But it was short-lived. The rogues were searching for something-someone. And I had a feeling it wouldn’t end until they got their answers.
Snow’s voice was a quiet whisper in my mind. “You can’t keep running, April. Sooner or later, you’ll have to decide who you can trust.”
I looked up at the sky, the stars hidden behind a veil of clouds. The answer wasn’t clear yet, but one thing was.
Cassius wasn’t back yet, but I missed him. And when he returned, I knew I’d have to face the truth-about him, about myself, about everything I’d been running from.
For now, though, all I could do was wait.