Whispered Shadows

Chapter Twenty-Six

Walls Closing In

Noa

Ryder's voice carries through the hotel room as he paces back and forth, phone pressed to his ear. I sit cross-legged on the bed, pretending to scroll through my phone, but my attention is locked on him. His jaw is tight, his tone clipped—he's talking to Asher, probably about another lead.

I know he's trying to protect me, but it's suffocating. Ryder watches my every move like he's afraid I'll disappear if he looks away for even a second. The tension in the room has me on edge, and I need to get out before I lose my mind.

Ryder ends his call with a heavy sigh, slipping his phone into his pocket. He glances at me, his green eyes narrowing. "I'll be back in a couple of hours. Stay put, okay?"

"Sure," I say, forcing a smile that I hope looks convincing.

He studies me for a moment longer, then nods and heads out the door. The second it clicks shut, I spring into action.

I grab my bag, sliding Gia's old lilac knit top over my head. The fabric is soft and worn, like a second skin, and it smells faintly of lavender and something warm, something that's her. I pair it with brown jeans and slip into my boots.

Me: Please tell me you're free. I'm losing it.

Lila responds to my text almost instantly.

Lila: For you? Always. Meet at the coffee shop?

I quickly glance at the door confirming Ryder's long gone, and I'm out of the room before he has a chance to second-guess leaving me alone.

It doesn't take me long to walk to our coffee shop. Thankfully when Ryder decided to get a hotel here he chose the closest one to campus.

The coffee shop is buzzing with life, the rich scent of roasted beans wrapping around me like a warm hug as I step inside.

Lila waves at me from a corner table, her half-up, hair catching the light like spun onyx. She's wearing a dark blue jean skirt and a long-sleeve white top covered in colorful butterflies, the bright pattern reflecting her vibrant personality.

"Noa!" she calls out, grinning as I weave through the crowd to join her.

"Hey," I say, sinking into the chair across from her. "Thanks for meeting me."

"Please," Lila says, waving me off. "I needed a break from homework anyway. Plus, you look like you're about two seconds away from climbing the walls."

"That obvious, huh?" I sigh, resting my chin on my hand.

"Just a bit," she teases, leaning forward. "So, what's up? Ryder driving you crazy?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "You have no idea. He means well, but I feel like I'm on house arrest. I just needed to get out and breathe for a bit."

We order drinks—an iced latte for me, something chai-based for her—and the conversation flows easily. Lila has a way of making everything feel lighter, her energy is contagious.

"So," she says after a while, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What's the deal with you and Ryder?"

I nearly choke on my drink. "What?"

"Come on," she says, smirking. "You can't tell me nothing is going on there. The way he looks at you like you're the only thing keeping him grounded? That's not just a friend thing."

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I fidget with the edge of my sleeve. "Ryder's just... Ryder. He's protective because of Gia, and because of, well, everything. That's all."