The streets of Lumaire were still busy when they returned, but Eis barely registered them.

  At the south gate, the Silvers were handed off to waiting healers, voices overlapping in controlled urgency. Ronan gave final reports. Lira stayed close until the last stretcher vanished into the healer’s wing. Kael lingered a moment longer, eyes scanning the crowd until he was satisfied no one else needed them.

  Eis didn’t wait.

  She turned away from the guild path and headed straight for the Artisan District.

  The Watcher’s Kitchen came into view just as dusk softened the edges of the street. Warm light spilled from the windows.

  Outside, Maribel sat at one of the side tables, halfway through a meal. She looked up at the sound—and froze.

  Before she could speak, small footsteps thundered across the floor.

  “Mom!”

  Nia collided with her legs and wrapped her arms around them with everything she had. Eis barely had time to brace before she was anchored in place, a surprised breath leaving her as she looked down.

  “I missed you,” Nia said into her coat, voice muffled.

  “I know,” Eis replied softly, one hand coming down to rest on her head.

  Tomm followed a heartbeat later. He didn’t say anything. He just stepped close and hugged her too, careful and tight, his forehead pressed against her side like he was making sure she was real.

  Behind the counter, Elara stood very still.

  Her hands rested on the wood. Her posture was straight. She had done exactly what she was supposed to do.

  She met Eis’s eyes.

  Eis nodded once.

  That was all it took.

  Elara was around the counter and through the door in an instant, arms wrapping around Eis with sudden force, tears slipping free before she could stop them. Eis folded an arm around her without hesitation, steady and warm, holding her until her shoulders stopped shaking.

  Maribel rose quietly from her seat.

  “Welcome back,” she said simply.

  Eis inclined her head in thanks, careful not to jostle the children still clinging to her. “Thank you. For checking on them. Every day.”

  “They were very good,” Maribel replied with a small smile. “And I’ll admit… I’ll miss the food.”

  Eis’s mouth curved faintly. “You’re welcome anytime. Free of charge.”

  Maribel laughed. “Careful. I might take you up on that.”

  “I wouldn’t mind,” Eis said.

  They exchanged a nod, and Maribel gathered her things, offering the children a final wave before slipping out into the evening.

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  Eis gave the kids one last, firm squeeze before gently prying herself free. “Go on,” she said. “I’ll be there in a moment.”

  They obeyed—reluctantly—but watched her all the same as they drifted back toward the kitchen.

  Only then did Eis let herself breathe.

  Night settled quietly.

  The shop was closed. Lanterns were dimmed. The city outside hummed softly, distant and unimportant.

  Eis stood near the center of the room. Team Argent sat nearby—Ronan leaning against the wall, Lira perched on a stool, Kael half-reclined with his arms crossed. The children gathered close together on the floor, pretending not to listen.

  “There’s something I need to do,” Eis said.

  Ronan straightened immediately. “We’ll go with you.”

  “So will I,” Lira added.

  Kael nodded once. “No reason not to.”

  Eis shook her head.

  “No,” she said calmly. “I need you to stay.”

  Silence followed.

  “The forest,” Kael said slowly. “You’re talking about the forest.”

  “Yes.”

  Ronan frowned. “Eis—”

  “I know,” she said. “And I’m not asking because I think I’m stronger alone. I’m asking because you’re my team… my friends.”

  She looked at them, one by one.

  “And because of that, I can trust you with them.”

  The children didn’t speak. Nia’s fingers tightened in Elara’s sleeve. Tomm stared at the floor, jaw set.

  Ronan exhaled. “You shouldn’t face this alone.”

  “I won’t,” Eis replied. “But this part is mine.”

  She paused. “Please trust me.”

  That, more than anything, stilled them.

  “I should be gone about one week, two weeks if things don't go smoothly,” she continued.

  Nia’s head snapped up. “You promise you’ll be back in two weeks?”

  Eis knelt so she was eye level with her.

  “I promise you,” she said carefully, “that I’ll come back.”

  Nia searched her face, then nodded.

  Behind her, Elara rested both hands on Nia’s shoulders. Tomm stood close, eyes steady despite the fear in them.

  Eis straightened. “It’s late. You should sleep.”

  They listened.

  Team Argent saw themselves out a short while later.

  Outside, the street was quiet.

  Lira and Kael waited a few steps away, giving them space.

  Ronan stopped at the door. “Let me go with you.”

  Eis met his gaze. “I trust Lira and Kael to protect the children. But it’s because you’ll be here that I can focus on what I need to do.”

  Ronan looked down, the words landing heavier than any argument.

  When he looked back up, his voice was steady. “They’ll be safe. I promise.”

  Eis nodded. “I know.”

  “Just promise you’ll come back.”

  “I will.”

  That was all.

  The next day passed in preparation.

  Shelves stocked. Meals planned. Supplies measured twice.

  By afternoon, Eis stood ready.

  Before leaving, she stopped at the Merchant Guild.

  “I’d like to share access to my account,” she told the clerk.

  “That’s possible,” the clerk replied.

  “First to my daughter, Elara. Then to Ronan.”

  The clerk noted it carefully.

  “And if Ronan can’t be reached,” Eis added, “then to Lira and Kael.”

  “That can be arranged with their identification.”

  “I’ll return with them,” Eis said.

  She did.

  By evening, everything was finalized.

  At the gate, goodbyes were brief.

  Hands squeezed shoulders. Words were unnecessary.

  Eis stepped onto the road alone.

  The city lights dimmed behind her.

  And the forest waited.