Chapter 5. STRIX

The skate park was half-asleep in the late afternoon heat. Kids lounged on benches, boards clattering now and then across the cracked ramps. Somewhere, an old radio played static-torn pop music.

Amelia sat beneath a tree, school satchel at her side, hair falling loose from her braid as she bent over her notebook. The scratch of her pencil was steady, punctuated by frowns and the occasional muttered sigh. Around her, the park smelled faintly of dust, sun-baked concrete, and the sweet tang of grass.

Aurelius was where he always was when he slipped Spire duty — skating lazy arcs across the half-pipe. The board snapped against concrete, his hood pulled low despite the heat. He looked effortless, coasting through tricks with the kind of grace that turned heads, though he paid no attention to the small crowd watching. His gaze kept flicking, almost unconsciously, toward the bench where Amelia sat.

But today, he wasn’t the only one watching.

Across the park, leaning against a motorcycle parked in the shade, Alexander Croft had been tracking him for fifteen minutes. Grey compression shirt clung to his shoulders, black tactical trousers tucked into worn boots. At twenty, Alexander looked older than his age — hardened edges from missions already under his belt — but his grin carried the mischief Aurelius knew too well.

Finally, Alexander pushed off the bike and strode across the park.

Aurelius’s stomach tightened. Of course. Of course he’d find me here.

He jumped down from the ramp, board clattering as he caught it, eyes narrowing like storm clouds.

Alexander ignored him. He went straight for the tree, where Amelia sat blinking up in surprise at the tall stranger casting a shadow over her homework.

“Hey,” Alex said easily, crouching down so his grin wasn’t quite so intimidating. “Mind if I sit?”

Amelia hesitated. “Uh… sure?”

He dropped onto the grass without waiting, resting his arms over his knees, scanning her notebook like he actually cared about algebra.

“You know, my cousin’s surprisingly good at math too. Lazy ass tho'”

Amelia blinked, tilting her head. “Your cousin?”

From across the park, Aurelius’s glare could’ve burned holes in steel. He marched toward them, board under his arm, jaw tight.

“Alex.” His voice was sharp, edged.

Alexander looked up, squinting, that grin widening. “Caelum.”

Amelia glanced between them, brow furrowed.

“You two know each other?”

Aurelius exhaled slowly, forcing the tension out of his voice. “Cousin.”

Alexander smirked, leaning back on his hands.

“And this cousin of mine should get back before my dad lashes on him. You’re such a headache, Caelum. You disappear, and everyone thinks I’m covering for you.”

Aurelius’s jaw flexed. “I’ll come back when I want to.”

“Sure you will.” Alexander stood, brushing grass from his trousers.

“Doesn’t matter where you run — I always find you.”

He gave Amelia a polite half-nod, then turned back to Aurelius, voice dropping.

“Uncle doesn’t say much, but… make sure you show up tomorrow usual drill.”

And with that, he strode off toward his motorcycle. The engine roared to life, and within seconds he was gone, trailing dust down the street.

The park fell quiet again, only the cicadas buzzing in the trees.

Amelia looked at Aurelius, wide-eyed. “What was that about?”

Aurelius shifted his board, still watching the space where the bike had vanished.

“…Nothing.”

Amelia raised a brow. She wasn’t convinced.

“So your name is Caelum, huh?” she asked, folding her notebook shut.