It was supposed to be a celebration.
The admin team had just completed a major systems update without a single error—no delays, no data loss, and even a nod of approval from the tech division. Mina, ever the instigator of good moods, had declared:
“We’re going out. Dinner first, then drinks. No excuses.”
Elara hesitated, but the warmth of her coworkers—and the rare sense of normalcy—made her nod.
They chose a cozy Korean grill near the office. The table was crowded with sizzling platters, laughter, and clinking glasses. Elara sat between Mina and a guy named Jace, who kept trying to guess everyone’s love language based on their dipping sauce choices.
She laughed more than she expected.
A real laugh.
Not the polite kind.
After dinner, they walked to a nearby bar—low lights, indie music, and just enough space to feel private without being empty. Mina ordered a round of cocktails, and someone handed Elara a lychee spritzer.
“To flawless updates,” Mina toasted.
“And to Elara, who didn’t flinch when the system glitched mid-report!”
They clinked glasses.
Elara smiled.
She felt… okay.
Until she saw him.
Across the bar, near the far wall, a man leaned casually against the counter. No black suit. No earpiece. Just jeans, a gray shirt, and a drink in hand.
But Elara’s blood ran cold.
She knew that face.
The man who’d grabbed her in China.
The one who held her arms.
The one who didn’t speak—but watched everything.
Her breath caught.
She turned quickly, ducking behind Mina.
“Elara?” Mina asked, noticing the shift. “You okay?”
“I—I need a minute,” Elara whispered.
She slipped toward the restroom hallway, heart pounding, fingers trembling as she pulled out her phone.
She didn’t hesitate.
She called Lucas.
It rang once.
“Elara?” His voice was alert. Sharp.
Elara’s voice trembled as she spoke into the phone.
“He’s here. The man from China. The one who grabbed me. He’s at the bar. Casual clothes. I think he saw me.”
There was a sharp pause.
Then Lucas’s voice came through, low and focused.
“Where are you right now?”
“Near the restroom hallway. Just past the main bar.”
“Is there a stall? A staff exit? Anywhere you can lock the door?”
“There’s a restroom. I think it’s empty.”
“Go there. Lock the door. Stay quiet.”
Elara’s breath hitched.
“Lucas—”
“I’m already on my way,” he said, voice steady. “Ten minutes, maybe less.”
She didn’t answer.
“Listen to me,” he added, softer now. “You’re doing everything right. Just breathe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her grip on the phone tightened.
“Okay.”
“I’ll be there before you even have time to panic. Just stay hidden. I’ve got you.”
The line went dead.
Elara pressed herself against the wall, trying to steady her breathing. Her hands were shaking. Her heart thudded in her ears.
She peeked around the corner.
The man was still there.
Still watching.
But now… he was moving.
He walked toward the exit, slowly, deliberately—like he’d finished what he came for.
Or like he wanted her to know he’d seen her.
She ducked back, breath shallow.
Ten minutes passed.
Then she saw him.
Lucas entered the bar—not through the main door, but from the side entrance, flanked by Riven and two discreet security personnel. He scanned the room once, eyes sharp, calculating.
Then he saw her.
He moved fast.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Just direct.
He reached her side, placed a hand on her shoulder, and leaned in.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“Just scared.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened.
“He’s gone. Riven’s tracking him now. You’re safe.”
Elara looked up at him, eyes wide.
“How did you get here so fast?”
Lucas didn’t answer.
Just brushed a damp strand of hair from her cheek.
“I felt it.”
She blinked.
“You… felt it?”
He nodded once.
“That seal isn’t just symbolic. It’s a tether. When you’re in danger—I know.”
Elara’s throat tightened.
“I didn’t know it worked like that.”
Lucas’s voice softened.
“Neither did I. Until I confirmed it tonight.”
Lucas looked back at Elara.
She didn’t speak.
She just nodded, her fingers curling into the sleeve of her sweater.
But as they reached the exit, Lucas slowed his steps.
“You shouldn’t go back to your apartment tonight,” he said quietly.
She blinked.
“Why?”
“It’s not a smart move. Not after this.”
His voice was calm, but firm. Protective.
“Come to my place. It’s secure. Monitored. You’ll have your own room. No one gets in without clearance.”
Elara hesitated, heart thudding.
“Are you sure?”
Lucas nodded once.
“I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t mean it.”
She didn’t argue.
She just nodded again, quieter this time.
As they stepped out into the night, Lucas glanced toward the alley where one of his security personnel waited with a car—no sirens, no uniforms, just quiet readiness.
Riven wasn’t with him.
He’d already gone ahead, tracking the man who’d appeared at the bar. Lucas had sent him the moment Elara made the call. No hesitation.
Find him. Don’t lose him.
Now, Lucas walked beside Elara, his steps steady, his presence grounding.
And Elara felt something shift.
Not just safety.
Not just protection.
But something deeper.
A connection that didn’t need words.
A seal that didn’t just bind—it responded.