Morning light spilled through the narrow windows of the Arcanum corridors, cutting pale gold lines across the stone.

Rhal’s boots thudded sharply against the floor, his cloak swimming in his wake. The scar on his cheek caught the light, red against his tense face. His eyes scanned the hallway — and finally, he saw her.

“Chief! Kilani, chief, hold up!”

She turned, brows lifting at the sound.

“Commander Rhal. Weren’t you on night duty?” she asked, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

“I was, chief,” he said, catching up to her. “But I need a word. It’ll only take a moment.”

Kilani studied him, then nodded toward the hallway ahead. “All right, walk with me.”

He fell in beside her, matching her measured pace. “Chief, I think the Tavareen boy’s up to no good. He’s been out until late. Seems distracted.”

“Have you considered,” she said evenly, “that you might be pushing him too hard?”

The words landed like a slap.

“Are you taking his side now?” Rhal shot back, tone sharper than he intended.

“I’m on no one’s side, commander,” Kilani said, stopping just long enough to meet his eyes. “But you hammer that boy like it’s personal.”

Color rose in Rhal’s face. He looked away, jaw tight.

“I just mean to say… I don’t think his loyalty lies where it used to,” he muttered.

“Then perhaps I should take him off your hands,” Kilani replied, her voice smooth as polished steel. “Reassign him, and spare you the trouble.”

Rhal blinked. “What? No, chief, I…”

“If you lose him, you’ll be short one officer,” she went on, unmoved. “But you’d lose him anyway if you drive him into the ground. And then you’ll face an internal review.”

“Chief…”

“I’ll reassign someone in exchange,” she said briskly. “So you won’t lose rank. Fair?”

Rhal swallowed, frustration darkening his features. “To whom will he be assigned?”

Kilani paused, eyes narrowing just slightly, with that telltale warning tilt of her head.

“Not that it’s any of your concern, commander,” she said with a deliberate pause, “but since you asked, I think I would assign him to commander Thal’Nir.”

Rhal froze mid-step. “You’re doing that because he’s fireborn, aren’t you?”

Kilani’s gaze turned to ice. “Are you questioning my decisions, Commander?”

Rhal’s mouth opened — then closed again. “Not at all, chief. I just…”

“Good.” She turned away. “Because I don’t plan to run them by you. On your way, now.”

Her boots clicked down the corridor, each step echoing her final word.