Clara’s throat tightened. “That’s it?”
“That’s enough.” Lotus’s eyes softened for a beat. “Sometimes fewer words land harder, and too much information will be dangerous.”
Clara nodded, swallowing past the lump in her throat.
And then she saw her.
Lena was waiting at the small coffee stand on the corner, her bright scarf a splash of colour against the grey street. The sight of her hit Clara like sunlight breaking through clouds.
“Clara!”
Her friend’s smile was wide, genuine, and when Lena wrapped her arms around her, Clara clung tight, a rush of relief flooding through her. Safety. Comfort. A reminder of who she was outside all this madness.
When they pulled apart, Clara forced her voice steady. “Lena, this is my friend, Anna. She’s new at the museum. I’m showing her around since she doesn’t know anyone yet.”
Lotus smiled, easy and warm, slipping seamlessly into the role. “Hi. Thanks for letting me tag along.”
Lena grinned back. “The more the merrier. Come on, let’s get caffeine before I keel over.”
The last thing she wanted was more caffeine, but three of them ordered coffees, anyway, the steam rising into the damp air, and found a small table just inside the awning. For a few minutes, it almost felt normal, sipping lattes, the city buzzing around them.
But Lena’s eyes sharpened as she leaned in, her voice dropping. “Okay, what the hell is going on? And don’t give me some curated bullshit. You’re pale, jittery, and you’ve been impossible to reach for days.”
Clara froze, her fingers tightening around the paper cup.
Lotus let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “I like her.”
Lena grinned at Lotus. “Aww, you too, cutie, but I have a girlfriend.”
Clara’s stomach twisted, despite the snorted laugh from Lotus. She glanced past Lena’s shoulder, relief loosening her chest when she caught sight of Valentina, casually tossing a ball for Scout. The dog bounded after it, tail wagging, an ordinary scene masking the watchful readiness she now recognised in all of them.
The team was close. She wasn’t alone.
But Lena’s eyes were still on her, fierce and unrelenting.
And Clara realised this was the moment, the thin line between keeping her friend safe and dragging her deeper into danger. Clara’s throat felt dry as dust. She wrapped both hands around the coffee cup, letting the heat bleed into her palms, anchoring herself. “Lena…” Her voice came out thin. She cleared her throat, tried again. “I need to tell you something. And I need you to take it seriously.”
Lena arched an eyebrow. “Now you’re scaring me.”
Clara forced the words past her lips. “Oliver isn’t who you think he is. He’s… dangerous.”
The silence between them sharpened, brittle as glass.
Lena blinked. “Dangerous how? Dangerous like his driving, or dangerous like…”
“Dangerous,” Clara said firmly, cutting her off. “I’m ending things with him. And I need you to stay away. If he comes near you, if he even tries, you get away. Promise me.”
Lena stared at her for a long moment, then set her cup down with deliberate care. “Clara.” Her voice was low, steady, but fierce. “I don’t know what the hell is going on with you, but if you think you’re going to drop something like that and not explain, hold the bullshit.”
Clara winced.
Lotus smirked, sipping her latte. “Told you I liked her.”
Clara shot her a look, nerves jangling, but Lena’s focus didn’t waver. “I can’t tell you everything,” Clara said quickly, the wordstumbling out, “but I can tell you this. Oliver isn’t safe to be around. Please, just trust me.”
Lena’s jaw worked. She leaned back, folding her arms. “Trust you? Clara, I’ve known you since we were fourteen. I’ve trusted you with every stupid heartbreak, every secret, every family disaster. You think I wouldn’t trust you now? Of course I do. But damn it, what have you gotten yourself into?”
Emotion clawed at Clara’s chest. Relief. Fear. Guilt. All of it tangled together. “I’m trying to keep you out of it,” she whispered.
