Page 227 of Marked By His Hunger

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“A distinction worth noting.”

Then—she stepped back.

“The Institute will continue to monitor developments,” she said.

Of course it would.

“I expect,” she added, “that both of you will remain enrolled.”

There it was.

Not a dismissal.

Not a warning.

An invitation.

Or a challenge.

“Agreed, for now,” Raven said.

She nodded once.

And then—she was gone.

Just like that.

Silence settled again.

But it wasn’t heavy anymore.

It was open.

I turned back to Raven.

“You’re really not leaving?”

His hand slid up to my cheek.

Never.

The word didn’t need to be spoken.

I felt it.

Through the bond.

Through him.

Through myself.

“No,” he said softly. “I am exactly where I am meant to be.”

And for the first time since everything had started—I believed it too.

Chapter 29-Raven

The wind over Asgarheim carried memory.

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