41

TEDDY

Kael and I had worked together all day, setting up the new patrols and ensuring the guards were stationed to watch over our assets.

Especially the boats. He was meticulous, reviewing every detail with a sharp eye that I'd come to appreciate. We both knew we couldn't afford any slip-ups, not with everything that was happening.

As we finished up, Kael leaned against one of the trucks, wiping the sweat from his face. "You think Phin's really straightened up?" he asked, the skepticism clear despite everything we'd seen lately.

I paused, considering his question. The truth was, I'd been asking myself the same thing. Phin had changed. There was no denying that, but how much and how deep those changes went were still up for debate.

"Yeah," I finally said. "If he hadn't, I'd have killed him already."

I could tell the answer didn't entirely satisfy him. "I trust Cassy's judgment," he said after a moment. "But it doesn't mean I'm not still pissed at him. After everything he put her th