Chapter 392

XENOIS My phone buzzed. A message from Marcus: *Security reports suspicious activity near the school. Nothing concrete, but guards are on alert.* Perfect. Because apparently even planning a romantic evening required navigating potential threats. I was responding when my door opened again. This time it was Thorne, looking slightly disheveled and very satisfied. "Before you say anything," he started, "Rivers and I were conducting important cross-territory coordination meetings." "Is that what we're calling it?" I asked dryly. "It's a perfectly legitimate use of diplomatic resources," Thorne defended. "Diplomatic resources," I repeated. "The portal was established for cross-territory cooperation," he pointed out. "Rivers and I are cooperating. Very thoroughly." Despite everything, I felt a laugh bubble up. "I'm not judging you for having a relationship. I'm annoyed that you're impossible to find when I need you because you're off 'cooperating' with Zade's second-in-command." "Fair critici