The cool afternoon air smacked Rian in the face as he stepped out of the restaurant, trailing Lena and Marcus toward the black limo waiting on the street.
The guards stayed behind, still hashing things out with the cops and guilds, while the trio hustled away from the place with quick steps.
Lena was first into the car, yanking the door open with a sharp tug and flopping onto the leather seat with a tired sigh. She slumped against the backrest, crossing her arms and stretching her legs like she owned the whole space.
Rian followed, scratching his neck as he slid in across from her.
Marcus came last, shutting the door with a solid thud that echoed in the quiet interior.
The engine purred softly as the driver kicked it into gear.
Marcus leaned back, crossing his legs with a low grunt, and turned to Rian. His wrinkled eyes studied him for a beat before a small grin crept onto his face.
"Hey, kid," he said, voice deep and warm, "I wanna thank you again for what you pulled back there."
Rian shrugged, scratching his cheek with a casual flick.
"No biggie. I'm kinda grateful for everything you've given me anyway. The hospital, the meds, the phone… this was the least I could do."
Marcus let out a gravelly chuckle, stroking his beard with one hand.
"Humble, huh?" he said, tilting his head. Then his face sobered, and he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Look, Rian, so you get my granddaughter's deal… she's kinda like an heiress to our clan."
Lena shot upright, golden eyes going wide as saucers.
"Grandpa!" she yelped, her voice spiking as she swatted his arm lightly. "Don't overhype it! I'm not some princess or anything!"
Marcus laughed harder, tossing his head back.
"Come on, kiddo!" he said, still cracking up. "I'm not hyping, just spitting facts." He tapped her knee with the back of his hand, clearly loving her squirming.
Rian watched them quietly, chewing on the old man's words.
Now it clicked why the restaurant staff and hospital docs kept tossing around "Miss Blaze" like it was a title.
Not just manners—it was who she was.
"That's why they tried to catch her off guard," Rian mumbled under his breath.
Marcus caught it and chuckled again, slapping his leg.
"Spot on, kid!" he said, pointing at him. "You catch on quick, huh? This ain't the first time someone's taken a swing at her. Being a Blaze comes with a target on your back." He leaned back, crossing his arms with a smug look.
Rian nodded slow, scratching his neck while glancing at the floor for a sec.
Then he met Marcus's gaze, the old man watching him with a raised brow.
"Hey, Rian," Marcus said, tone shifting to thoughtful. "How about I switch your academy? Cresthaven's fine, sure, but…"
He paused, stroking his beard again.
"I could get you into a better one, something with more doors to open."
Rian blinked, thrown by the offer.
"No need to go out of your way," he said fast, raising a hand to wave it off. "Thanks, really, but I'm good with Cresthaven."
He paused, fishing for the right words, then went on with a firmer, polite edge.
"Look, I'm thankful for everything you've done. The hospital, the meds, hauling me around—it's more than I figured on. But I wanna go to that academy. I wanna meet someone."
Marcus went quiet, staring at him with eyes that seemed to bore right through.
Lena, who'd been gazing out the window, flicked her head sideways, golden eyes glinting with a spark of curiosity.
The silence stretched, filling the limo with an odd tension.
Rian fidgeted with his fingers on the seat, waiting for a reaction.
"Someone?" Marcus said at last, tilting his head with a sly grin. "A girl, huh?" His tone turned playful, and he nudged Lena lightly, who rolled her eyes again.
Rian shook his head quick, scratching his cheek.
"Nah," he said, voice flat but solid. "Not a girl. Just… someone I need to meet."
The silence crashed back, awkward this time.
Lena shot him another sidelong glance, frowning like she was trying to crack a code, but kept her mouth shut.
Marcus stroked his beard, mulling it over, until a big laugh broke the strain.
"Well, alright then!" he boomed, smacking his knee. "I won't twist your arm, kid. If you're set on Cresthaven for this mystery person, that's your call." He paused, grin softening. "But let me do something for you, yeah? A thank-you for saving my granddaughter's hide when I dropped the ball. We'll drive you to the academy. Least I can do."
Rian blinked, digesting it.
Then he nodded slow, shrugging.
"Sure," he said, voice calm with a hint of thanks. "Appreciate it."
Marcus's grin widened, and he clapped Rian's shoulder hard enough to make him wobble.
"That's the spirit!" he roared, voice bouncing in the tight space. He spun toward the driver and rapped the seatback with his knuckles. "To Cresthaven—you know the spot!"
The driver nodded silently, and the limo shifted course toward that destination.