Chapter 13: The Offer
The article had gone viral.
Not the one about Emberlight. Not the truth. That one was buried, redacted, threatened into silence.
This one was about Mira Solene.
"The Girl Who Chased Shadows."
"The Journalist Who Vanished, Then Returned."
The media didn't know the full story.
But now, they wanted her to tell it.
---
The call came on a quiet morning. Mira had just brewed her coffee when her old editor's voice echoed through the line.
"You've been offered a spot at The Apex Post. International desk. Geneva. Full access. Full freedom."
Mira blinked. "What's the catch?"
"You leave by Friday."
---
She didn't say yes.
She didn't say no either.
Instead, she walked the city for hours, thoughts storming in silence.
Cyan had barely spoken since they left the old church. He was quieter now, like he was giving her space. Or like he was preparing to let her go.
She found him on the rooftop of the café again, staring at the skyline.
"There's an offer," she said softly.
He turned, eyes unreadable. "For what?"
"My dream job. Real journalism. Freedom."
Silence.
Then: "You should take it."
Mira's jaw tightened. "That's it?"
He looked away. "I won't be the reason you give up your life."
> "But you're not just a reason, Cyan," she whispered. "You're the part of my life I didn't see coming."
He didn't answer.
But something cracked in both of them.
---
That night, she stared at the ticket confirmation on her screen.
Her bag was packed.
But her heart?
It wasn't sure where home was anymore.
---