Falcon's heart drummed a staccato rhythm against his ribs as he stared at the glowing screen. The words, stark and simple, seemed to sear themselves into his eyes: 'Come find me.' A wave of dread washed over him, chilling him to the bone. Aurelia's voice, soft and curious, hovered beside him.
"What is it, Falcon? You look like you've seen a ghost."
He forced a smile, the taste of ashes on his tongue. "Just a hunch," he muttered, eyes flitting away from the screen. "A lead on the serpent's next move. I need to follow it."
Aurelia frowned, her scales shimmering with concern. "Together," she insisted, her voice firm. "Whatever this is, we face it together, as always."
His claws tightened around the phone, the message burning through his palm. He couldn't let her see it, not yet. The burden of this cryptic summons, he felt, was his alone to bear, at least for now.
