Chasing Shadows

“Kaelen,” Kira cut in, firm but not unkind. “Listen to me.”

He stopped.

“Ivanov’s attention is already on the two of you. If you leave with them, he splits his focus.”

Her gaze flicked briefly to Lyra and Leo, then returned. “That’s when people get hurt.”

“But if you stay,” she continued, “he locks onto you. Every resource he has follows your trail. That clears the airspace, the borders, and t