_Kael's POV_
I waited all evening for something to change.
But Roxanne didn’t act differently. She finished her food, drank the tea, and smiled like always; that fake and polished smile that never reached her eyes. I dropped her off and watched her disappear behind her front door. She was moving with the same confident stride she always had.
Nothing happened.
I drove home in silence. I gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. When I finally made it to my room, I slammed the door and paced like a caged animal. I pulled the second vial from my coat pocket and stared at it.
Was this all a scam?
Was I a fool for trusting Morana?
Valric stirred in my mind. We took a risk. Don’t panic yet.
"It didn’t work," I muttered while pulling out my phone. I scrolled to
