Eira's pov
Draven told me not to do it.
He didn't say it with anger or force. He never did when it came to me.
He stood in the doorway of the war room that morning, arms folded across his chest, jaw tight, eyes stormy as thunderclouds. "It's a bad idea, Eira. You're still reeling. You're vulnerable."
"I'm also the only one who still knows how to speak to people like they matter," I said, lacing my boots tighter.
"You'll be bait."
"I'm already bait," I replied. "Kira made sure of that."
His eyes flinched,barely,but I saw it.
"Let me speak," I added softly. "Before they write the story without me."
He didn't stop me after that. He just watched as I brushed past him, a quiet sadness clinging to his silence.
The broadcast team arrived that afternoon. Two drones, a cam-crew, and Lena Voss herself,anchor of The Coalition Unfiltered, known for her spine of steel and questions like blades.
