The car rolled to a stop in the underground parking of Dreaven Solstice.
Lucas usually pulled up at the lobby entrance—valet, glass doors, polished marble. But tonight wasn’t usual. Not with a sleeping girl in the passenger seat.
He glanced sideways.
Elara’s head rested lightly against the seat, her breathing soft and steady. One hand curled near her chest, the other limp in her lap. Her brows were relaxed now, no trace of the panic from earlier.
Now that he had a moment to really look at her, he noticed the details.
She had a soft oval face, framed by long, dark waves that spilled gently past her shoulders. Her almond-shaped eyes—closed now—held a quiet curiosity when open, the kind that lingered. Her brows were naturally arched, her nose petite and straight, and her lips full, curved in a faint, unguarded frown.
She looked delicate.
But not fragile.
There was something about her presence—even asleep—that felt quietly unshakable. Like fate had been waiting for her to arrive.
Lucas scratched the back of his head, unsure.
Wake her?
Wait?
Carry her?
They weren’t close.
Just strangers thrown together by chaos and a seal neither of them understood.
He sighed.
Then—a knock on the window.
Lucas turned sharply.
Outside stood a man in a fitted black jacket, brows raised, arms crossed. Riven Lau, his former manager, turned assistant. Sharp, loyal, and always two steps ahead.
Lucas lowered the window.
Riven leaned in, eyes scanning the interior—then froze.
“Uh… boss?” he whispered. “Who’s the girl?”
Lucas glanced at Elara, then back at Riven. He raised a finger to his lips.
“Keep your voice down. She’s asleep.”
Riven frowned, but nodded, lowering his voice.
“Okay… so what’s the plan? Wake her or carry her?”
Lucas hesitated, eyes lingering on Elara’s sleeping form.
“She won’t wake up soon. She’s out cold.”
Riven tilted his head.
“I can carry her up if you want.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened—a flicker of hesitation, pride, and something quieter. He looked at Elara again, then shook his head.
“No. I’ll carry her.”
Riven blinked.
“You?”
Lucas nodded, already opening his door.
Riven straightened, still stunned.
“Wow. Okay. That’s new.”
Lucas didn’t answer.
Lucas moved around the car, opened the passenger door, and paused.
Elara was still asleep—her breathing soft, her body slack with exhaustion. He reached into the backseat.
“Riven,” he said quietly, “pass me the jacket.”
Riven blinked, still processing everything, but nodded and grabbed the folded black jacket from the back. He handed it over, brows furrowed.
“You’re not wearing it?”
Lucas shook his head and gently draped the jacket over Elara’s body, wrapping it around her shoulders and arms. Then, with deliberate care, he pulled the collar up—shielding her face from view.
Just in case someone saw them.
Riven tilted his head, half amused.
“You’re really doing this.”
Lucas didn’t answer. He slid his arms beneath Elara and lifted her effortlessly—her small frame tucked against his chest, her head resting near his collarbone.
Riven turned and led the way toward the elevator, glancing back once with a quiet smirk.
“You know, I’ve seen you carry scripts, awards, and drunk co-stars. But this? This is new.”
Lucas gave him a look.
“Don’t start.”
They reached the private elevator. Riven tapped the penthouse keycard, and the doors slid open with a soft chime.
Inside, the silence was plush. The elevator rose smoothly, the city lights flickering through the tinted glass.
Elara didn’t stir.
When they reached the top floor, Lucas stepped out first, still carrying her. The penthouse hallway was quiet—marble floors, soft lighting, and a scent of cedar and citrus lingering in the air.
Riven followed, still watching his boss like he’d stepped into a different timeline.
Lucas paused at the door, then turned to him.
“Get clothes for her. Something comfortable. And food—warm, not too heavy.”
Riven raised a brow.
“Any allergies I should know about?”
Lucas glanced down at Elara, then back at him.
“No idea. Just play it safe.”
Riven nodded, already pulling out his phone.
“Got it. I’ll be back in twenty.”
Lucas stepped inside the penthouse, the door closing quietly behind him.
Lucas laid the girl gently on the bed.
He didn’t know her name.
Didn’t know where she came from.
But the seal on her collarbone matched his—and that was enough.
She didn’t stir. Her breathing remained soft, steady—like the city’s chaos hadn’t touched her at all.
He reached for the jacket he’d wrapped around her earlier and slipped it off with quiet precision. Then he pulled the comforter over her small frame, tucking it around her shoulders with a care that surprised even him.
Without another word, Lucas stepped into his room, peeled off his clothes, and headed straight for the shower.
The water was hot. Grounding.
But it did little to wash away the questions crowding his mind.
As he dried off and reached for a fresh shirt, his eyes caught the mirror.
He froze.
There it was—the new seal, glowing faintly on his collarbone. Crimson-gold, edged with black. Sharp, angular. Familiar.
His fingers brushed it, then drifted to his right arm—where Kael’s seal used to be. That one had faded the day Kael died. Quietly. Without warning.
Kael’s seal had been on his wrist.
Lucas’s was on his arm.
Linked, but separate.
This one?
Identical. Mirrored.
Same shape. Same glow. Same location.
Just like hers.
Lucas exhaled sharply, pulled on his shirt, and stepped into the workroom down the hall.
Riven was already there, leaning against the desk, phone in hand.
Lucas sat down.
Riven looked up, brows raised.
“So… who is she?”
Lucas didn’t answer right away.
Riven tilted his head.
“Is she a fling? I mean, she’s kind of young for you, but—”
Lucas’s frown cut him off.
Riven blinked.
“Okay, okay. Just saying. She’s… pretty. Delicate.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened.
“She’s marked.”
Riven froze.
“Wait—what?”
Lucas nodded slowly.
“Same seal. Same spot.”
Riven leaned forward.
“Like Kael’s?”
Lucas shook his head.
“No. Kael’s was on his wrist. Mine was on my arm. They were connected, but not identical.”
He paused, eyes distant.
“This one… it’s mirrored. Hers is in the exact same place as mine. It activated the moment her lips touched mine.”
Riven’s brows lifted.
“You’re saying… no ritual? No bond ceremony?”
Lucas nodded.
“Just a brush. Not even a kiss.”
Riven sank into the chair across from him, stunned.
“That’s not how it’s supposed to work.”
Lucas leaned back, eyes on the ceiling.
“I think she’s from the Velmira clan.”
Riven blinked.
“You’re serious?”
Lucas nodded.
“It’s the only explanation that makes sense. The seal reacted instantly. Like it recognized her.”
Riven rubbed his temples.
“Okay. I’ll dig into it. See if there’s any precedent—Velmira clan, spontaneous activation, no ritual.”
Lucas nodded.
“Start with the archives. And check the old seal records. Anything tied to Kael’s lineage too.”
Riven stood, already typing.
“Got it. I’ll get back to you in an hour.”
Lucas stayed seated, staring at the mark on his collarbone.
She’s marked. Just like Kael was.
But this time…
he didn’t even know her name.