Disguise 109_The Matchmaker

CHAPTER 109 

 Saphira’s fingers flew across her screen the moment Amara’s message lit up. Het pulse kicked hard against her ribs, a thrum of urgency she couldn’t ignore. She didn’t even sit up–just leaned forward, elbows digging into the mattress, thunibs moving fast.

 Track her. Let me know what she’s doing.

 She hovered over the screen, her breath shallow. I should be out there. I should be the one watching her. But the risk wed at her throat, sharp and unforgiving.

 She added quickly:

 I’d help, but I can’t risk being seen.

 Her thumb trembled slightly as she hit send. The silence that followed stretched tight across her shoulders until Amara’s reply blinked back.

 I’ve got it. I’ll keep you informed.

 Saphira exhaled, but the tension didn’t leave her body. Her shoulders remained hunched, her jaw clenched. Good. At least someone’s watching her. Ruby doesn’t move without purpose–and I need to know what that purpose is.

 She turned toward Niks, who was already pushing himself upright, the sheets sliding off his chest in a ripple of fabric. His eyes were sharp, alert.

 “Ruby’s out of her room,” she said, voice low.

 Niks didn’t hesitate. He was on his feet in a blink, snatching his shirt from the back of the chair and pulling it over his head. “Where is she?” 

 Saphira nced at her screen, fingers tightening around the device. “She’s still on the stairs. Going slowly. Checking each floor.”

 He was already stepping into his jeans, movements fluid and practiced, like muscle memory had taken over. 

 “What are you doing?” she asked, rising from the bed, bare feet brushing the cool floor.

 “I’m going to follow her,” he said, voice steady, eyes already scanning the room for his boots.

 Saphira stepped closer, her hand brushing his arm. “Is that a good idea? What if she sees you?”

 Niks paused just long enough to meet her gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “This is my house. I know how to move without being seen.”

 She nodded slowly, her stomach tightening. He’s right. If anyone can shadow her without being caught, it’s him. Still, the thought of him out there, exposed, made her chest ache.

 Niks bent toce his boots, then straightened and looked at her. “Ask Amara exactly where she is. And let her know I’ming.”

 Saphira turned back to her screen, fingers flying again.

 Niks is going to follow her. Where is she now? 

 The reply came quickly.

 She’s still on the stairs. Ground floor next. She’s checking each level slowly. 

 Saphira ryed the message, and Niks stepped close, cupping her cheek with one hand. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, warm and grounding.

 “Stay in the room,” he murmured. “I’ll mind–fink you if I need updates. Or if anything changes.” 

 She nodded, her hand brushing his wrist as he pulled away. Be careful, she thought, watching him slip through the door with practiced silence.

 The room felt colder now. She moved to the window, phone still in hand, eyes fixed on the shadows beyond the ss. Waiting. Ready.

 1/3 

 Saphire sat cross–legged in the edge of the bed, her phone resting on her thigh, screen dimmed but ready. The silenc fel enn felt thick, like fag pressing nanindi han skin. She’d checked the window three times in thest ten minutes, each time leaning forward, palm t against the ss, as if the enti surface might offer answers.

 Still nothing Nn thevement. No sound. Just shadows and waiting.

 She shifted, about to stand again, when Niks’s voice brushed against her mind—low, focused, like a whisper through water

 Can you message Amara? Find out where Ruby is now. I’m at the bottom of the stairs.‘

 Saphira straightened, spine snapping upright. Her fingers moved fast, the phone warming beneath her touch.

 Where is she now? 

 Amara’s reply came instantly.

 She’s checking all the doors in the corridor near the game room. Looks like she’s being thorough.

 Saphira closed her eyes briefly, pressing her thumb to the screen before mind–linking the update to Niks.

 “She’s in the game room corridor. Checking every door.”

 Then to Amara:

 Thanks. Keep me posted. 

 She set the phone aside and began pacing, her bare feet whispering against the floorboards. Each step felt like a countdown. She paused at the window again, forehead brushing the cool ss, breath fogging the pane.

 Why is she taking so long? What is she looking for? 

 The sky outside deepened into velvet blue, and the silence in the house grew heavier, pressing against her ribs like a weight she couldn’t shift.

 She reached out through the mind–link.

 ‘Niks?‘ 

 Nothing. She tried again, softer this time.

 ‘Niks, are you okay?” 

 Still no reply.

 Her breath caught. Her fingers curled into the hem of her shirt. ‘Don’t panic. He’s careful. He knows what he’s doing.‘

 Then, like a breeze through her thoughts, Vaelora’s voice filtered in–warm, steady.

 ‘He’s concentrating.”

 Saphira blinked. ‘Vaelora? How do you know?‘

 ‘I asked Vorthar.‘ 

 Saphira exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing. Of course. Dragons always knew.

 “Thank you,‘ she whispered back.

 She settled onto the bed, curling onto her side, one arm tucked beneath her head. Her eyes drifted shut, just for a moment, the silence lulling her into a fragile calm.

 The door creaked open.

 She jolted uptight, heart thudding. Niks stood in the doorway, breath misting faintly in the cooler air, his expression unreadable.

 “Sorry,” he said softly. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

 Saphira rubbed her eyes, sitting up. “It’s okay. Is everything… okay?”

 Niks nodded, stepping inside with quiet purpose. “She didn’t find anything,” he said, voice low. “But she’s definitely looking.”

 He shut the door gently behind him, the soft click echoing in the stillness. His steps were slow, deliberate, as he crossed the room and sank onto the bed beside her. The mattress dipped slightly beneath his weight, and his voice dropped to a murmur.

 “I’m sorry I didn’t reply.”

 Saphira turned toward him, her smile faint but warm. “It’s okay. Vaelora told me you were alright.”

 Niks’s brows lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, wrapping her against his chest with a quiet sigh. His warmth enveloped her, grounding her in a way the silence never could.

 “I think our dragons might cause us some mischief in the future,” he murmured, his breath brushing her temple.

 Saphira hummed in agreement, her cheek resting against the steady rise and fall of his chest. They already are, she thought, a flicker of affection blooming in her chest. Vaelora’s voice had been calm, reassuring–like a tether in the dark.

 Her fingers curled lightly against his shirt, and the tension that had gripped her all evening began to melt away. Sleep tugged at her again, soft and insistent, she let her eyes drift shut.

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Disguise 109