The walk back to Sin Rouge was silent.
Not cold.
Distant.
Just… heavy.
Everyone felt it the weight of the Watcher's presence but no one said anything until the group reached the main hall.
Dreg peeled off first with a grunt.
Quill left mid-thought, muttering calculations under his breath.
Doona walked away already planning supply routes and response budgets.
Liz gave Verosika a subtle glance one that said you're staying with him, are you?
Skit and Bit waved awkwardly, shrugged, and vanished.
Rafe, however, paused at the doorway, meeting Malerion's eyes with a knowing expression.
"If someone is watching," he murmured, "they're also waiting."
Malerion nodded slightly.
"We won't wait."
Rafe smirked.
"Good."
Then he left.
And just like that, the war room was empty.
Except for the two of them.
THE QUIET AFTERMATH
Verosika sat down first not because she was tired, but her thoughts were too loud to process standing.
Malerion didn't sit.
He stood near the window overlooking Lust Ring neon lights reflecting across his eyes like moving constellations.
Verosika watched him for a few seconds before finally speaking.
"So."
He waited.
"That guy," she said, motioning vaguely toward the door as if the Watcher were still somewhere behind it. "He wasn't threatening you."
"No."
"He wasn't warning you."
"No."
She tilted her head.
"He was… curious."
This time, Malerion looked at her.
"Yes."
Verosika exhaled slowly.
"I hate curious people. They're unpredictable. Dangerous."
She paused.
"And they don't stop."
Malerion didn't disagree.
Verosika leaned back in the chair, crossing her legs a defensive posture disguised as relaxed confidence.
"You seemed calm," she said. "Calmer than everyone else. Even me."
He blinked, considering.
"I expected something like this eventually."
"So you're not surprised?"
"No," he answered softly. "Only annoyed it came sooner."
That made her laugh short, sharp, honest.
"That's almost comforting," she said.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Comforting?"
"Yeah." She shrugged. "If you were scared, I'd be terrified."
Silence lingered not tense… thoughtful.
Verosika tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest.
"So what's the plan?"
"For the Watcher?"
"No." She pointed at him. "For you."
Malerion didn't respond immediately.
Not because he didn't know
but because he weighed every word before releasing it.
Finally:
"I keep moving forward."
She frowned.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"Not hide?"
"No."
"Not negotiate?"
"No."
"Not retreat?"
"Never."
Verosika studied him.
Not his power.
his posture.
Him.
"You really believe you can handle whatever he is ?."
He didn't flinch.
"I believe I can handle what's coming."
Her eyes softened something reluctant and vulnerable beneath her confidence.
"…I've seen leaders crumble because they believed that."
"Yes."
"And I've seen leaders rise because they didn't."
"Yes."
Another pause.
Then softer:
"And which one are you?"
He turned to face her fully.
"The one who doesn't stop."
Something warm flickered in her expression admiration she didn't want to show.
She looked away.
"That's terrifying."
"Yes," he said quietly. "To others."
She swallowed.
"And to me."
Malerion moved then not closer, not farther but into her line of sight again.
"You don't have to be afraid."
Verosika met his gaze.
And for once… didn't hide.
"I'm not afraid of the Watcher," she whispered.
He held her stare.
"I know."
"I'm afraid of what you're becoming."
He didn't break eye contact.
"Why?"
"Because power changes people. It twists them. Breaks them. Or consumes them."
She stood then slowly stepping closer until she was within arm's reach.
"And I don't want to watch you turn into someone I don't recognize."
Malerion's voice was steady.
"You won't."
"You can't promise that."
"I already have."
Their stares locked electric, dangerous, unspoken.
Verosika finally exhaled, frustration in her tone:
"You make everything so"
"Simple," he finished.
"No," she corrected softly.
"Personal."
For a heartbeat, that word hung between them heavier than threats and older than fear.
Then Verosika stepped back.
Not running.
Just breaking the moment before it became something neither of them was ready for.
"…I'm going back to my suite," she said quietly.
Malerion nodded once.
"If the Watcher contacts us again, you'll know."
"Oh trust me," she muttered, walking toward the door, "I'll feel it before you say anything."
She reached the door.
Paused.
Looked back.
"Malerion?"
"Yes."
"If someone's watching you…"
Her voice lowered to something she rarely used.
"…then they're watching me too."
He didn't answer at first but his eyes sharpened.
"I won't let anything touch you."
She didn't smile.
But didn't doubt him, either.
"…Good."
She left.
The door closed gently behind her.
And Malerion remained at the window watching the lights, the shadows, and the invisible tension already unfolding.
Because now, more than ever…
Someone else was watching.