Kingdom of the Nine: The Bridge (IV)

Chapter 13

Smith Inc. Tower, Indianapolis

———Red———
The helicopter touches down on the roof with a smooth whir, the sound of its blades fading. Keegan nudges Dylan, who stirs with a groggy grumble before jolting awake, eyes wide with panic.

"AH! WHAT'S—"

Keegan bursts out laughing. "Relax, man, we're here!" He steps off the chopper and onto the roof, his grin as smug as ever.

Dylan groans, rubbing his eyes. "You're the worst, you know that?"

The rain has stopped, leaving the rooftop slick with puddles that shimmer under the moonlight. The air is cool and still, the chaos of the city below distant and muted. Together, the eight of us make our way toward the elevator, boots splashing softly on the wet surface.

As we cram into the elevator—far too many bodies for the tight space—Kylen reaches over and presses the button for floor 103, the penthouse. The faint hum of the machinery fills the awkward silence as we descend.

"Alright," Kylen says, turning to face the group, his voice slightly strained from the lack of breathing room. "The guest rooms are on floor 102. Once we get off, Claire will take you all down there and show you to your rooms."

"Ah, so penthouse for the VIPs while the rest of us get stuck with the grimy guest beds?" Dylan teases, his tone dripping with mock indignation.

"Grimy?" Alyse snorts. "Red and I stayed down there our first night. They're actually pretty nice."

I nod in agreement. "Better than you're giving them credit for."

"At least we have a roof over our heads," Keegan cuts in, his voice tinged with relief. "So... does this mean we live here now? Officially?" He turns to Kylen, eyebrows raised.

Kylen lets out a sigh. "Yes. You're all staying here from now on."

"Hell yeah!" Keegan shouts, pumping a fist in the air. "This beats the warehouse a million times over."

Hail, standing quietly in the corner, chuckles softly—a rare sound. It's the first time I've seen him relax since we met. "I'll take it. Anything beats those dusty old inns back in Celestria."

Claire laughs gently, leaning against the wall.

Kat smirks, glancing around at the eclectic mix of faces in the cramped elevator. "Well, guess this makes us family now. All under one roof."

I catch her eye and smile. "Yeah. It sure does."

The elevator dings as it reaches the penthouse floor. Kylen, Alyse, and I step out into a sleek, open living space. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame a breathtaking view of the city skyline, now calm and glittering under the moonlight. The faint hum of the elevator continues as it descends, carrying the others to their guest rooms below.

Kylen walks toward a large sectional sofa, tossing his jacket onto it before collapsing into the cushions with a groan. "Finally. Some quiet."

Alyse laughs softly, heading toward the kitchenette and pouring herself a glass of water. "It won't last long. You know they'll be back up here in no time, especially Dylan."

I linger by the window, looking out at the city. The view feels so alien compared to the rolling hills and dense forests of Naurus. The neon lights and endless streets seem cold, artificial.

"You good, Red?" Alyse asks, her voice gentle.

I nod, but my reflection in the glass betrays my unease. "Yeah, just... thinking. About everything. This place, the Court, Naurus... Domnik."