Severing the Shadow

Sloane stepped out of the bathroom, the scent of mint still cool on her lips. A thin veil of steam drifted after her. Across the room, Killian stood frozen, phone in hand, gaze fixed on a blank screen as though it contained the end of the world.

"What's wrong?" she asked, closing the distance between them in two quiet steps.

"Nothing," Killian said with a small, practiced smile. His eyes flicked t