The meeting ends without another threat, revelation, or hidden favor.
Rahul takes back the guarantee, Rae pockets what's left of his smile, and I walk out of that room feeling like I accepted a proposal without accepting anything. The window at the Deep Asylum still has no date. It might not exist at all until Rahul decides I've survived long enough to deserve it.
I go back to my room at the Academy and lock the door.
I spend the rest of the day at the desk, papers spread out, the battle regulations open on my HUD, and a run of formations that start organized and end crossed out until they lose all shape.
Rahul is involved.
That changes everything.
