NovelEnglish96 Chapter 96
96 Chapter 96
Seraphina’s POV 1
The morning sun streamed through the office windows as | settled into Damien's chair-our chair, | reminded
myself. It still felt strange sitting behind this massive mahogany desk, surrounded by the scent of
leather and his cologne that lingered in the room even though he'd been gone for two days.
*Miss you already, * | sent through our mindlink, testing the connection as | shuffled through the stack of
reports waiting for my attention.
His response cback warm and immediate. *Miss you too, beautiful. How's our little one treating you this
morning ?*
| smiled, unconsciously placing my hand over my still-flat stomach. *Better today. Actually managed to keep
breakfast down.*
*Good. | love you both.*
The connection faded, leavingwith that familiar mixture of comfort and longing. At least the mindlink
was working perfectly. | could feel him there, like a warm presence in the back of my mind, even when we
weren't actively communicating.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. “Cin,” | called out, straightening my shoulders and trying
to project the confidence of someone who belonged in this chair.
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Marcus entered, carrying a tablet and wearing his usual serious expression.
“Luna, the morning patrol reports are ready for your review,” he said, his gruff voice softer than usual.
“Thank you, Marcus. Please, sit.” | gestured to the chair across from the desk, noting how he waited for my
permission before settling in. A week ago, he probably would have just plopped down without thinking twice.
“How did the night patrols go?” | asked, scanning the first report.
“Quiet. Too quiet, if you ask me,” Marcus said, then seemed to catch himself. “But your suggestion about
rotating the patrol routes every six hours instead of twelve worked perfectly. Even if there were rogues out
there, they wouldn't be able to predict our movements.”
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96 Chapter 96
| felt a little thrill of pride.
Marcus leaned forward slightly, his weathered face earnest. “Luna, | have to say-in thirty years of military
service, I've seen a lot of leaders. You've got the gift.”
My cheeks warmed at the compliment. After Marcus left, | sat back in the chair, processing his words. *They
think I'm doing well,* | sent to Damien, unable to contain my excitement.
*Of course they do,* chis immediate response, and | could feel his pride through the bond. *You're
incredible, Sera. | knew you'd be perfect at this.*
The warm glow of his confidence wrapped aroundlike a hug. *How are things on your end?*
*Still no sign of rogue activity. Starting to think they really did scatter after our trap. Will check in later—
heading into a dead zone for rasignals.*
*Be careful. | love you.*
*Always am. Love you more. *
By the third day, | was starting to feel like | actually knew what | was doing. The morning meeting with the
senior staff had gone smoothly-we’d discussed supply allocations, training schedules, and civilian protection
protocols without a single argument or confused look in my direction.
My chest swelled with pride, and I had to resist the urge to immediately share the praise with Damien
through our mindlink. He was in another communication dead zone, had been for most of the morning. The
silence felt strange after two days of constant contact.
*Damien? You there?* | tried sending, but got only empty air in response.
A little knot of worry started forming in my stomach, but | pushed it down. He'd warnedabout the dead
zones. Mountain terrain played havoc with both rasignals and mindlink connections. It was perfectly
normal.
Perfectly normal.
“Sera?” Riley's voice broughtback to the present. “Everything okay?”
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“Yes, sorry. Just trying to check in with Damien,” | said, forcing a smile. “What were you saying about the new
medical supplies?”
By evening, the knot in my stomach had grown into a full-sized pretzel of anxiety. It had been nearly eight
hours since I'd heard from Damien-the longest stretch of silence since he'd left.
“Mommy, you're making your worried face again,” Adrian observed from his spot on the living room carpet,
where he was coloring a picture of what appeared to be a very happy dinosaur wearing a crown.
“I'm not worried,” | said automatically, then caught myself. “Okay, maybe a little worried. Daddy hasn't
checked in today.”
Adrian considered this with the seriousness he brought to all important matters. “Maybe his phone died? Or
maybe he’s hiding from bad guys and can’t talk?”
“Maybe,” | agreed, though neither explanation madefeel better. Damien’s equipment was military-grade-
it didn’t just die. And if he was in a situation where he couldn't communicate, that meant...
No. | wasn’t going to go down that road. Damien was fine.
*Damien?* | tried again, pushing the thought out as strongly as | could. *Please respond if you can hear this.*
Nothing. Not even the faint background warmth | usually felt from our connection.
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