Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 100

The cabin was still.

Muted morning light filtered through the narrow windowpanes, brushing the wooden floor in soft, slanted beams. Julian stood near the window, coffee mug in hand, steam curling upward and vanishing into the silence. His eyes, however, remained fixed on the trees outside—dark evergreens crowding the horizon, unmoving, unfeeling. Unlike him.

Behind him, the sound of footsteps and the clink of ceramic broke the quiet.

Jace appeared in the open kitchen, shirt rumpled, hair sticking up in a way that proved he tossed and turned all night.

Jace poured himself a cup, then leaned against the counter, watching him.

“You even sleep?” he asked, voice rough, still groggy.

Julian didn’t turn. “An hour. Maybe two.”

He took another slow sip, then set the mug down and crossed to the table—cluttered with open books, maps, scattered notes, and a laptop that had died sometime during the night. He pressed his fingers to his temple, jaw tense.

“Any updates from your contacts?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

Jace exhaled through his nose and shook his head. “Nothing.”

He came to join him at the table, setting his own mug beside a wrinkled report. “The guy I’ve got watching Kaelani’s friend says there’s been no phone calls in or out—nothing that sounds like her. No sightings. No one fitting her description showing up anywhere near that town.”

Julian’s fingers curled into a fist over the edge of the map.

Jace continued, more gently now, “Honestly, I think she knows. The Council would’ve checked there first. She’s not stupid.”

Julian didn’t respond. Just stared at a burn mark on the table, brow furrowed.

“We’ve got Tessa’s line tapped, and eyes on Kaelani’s house,” Jace added. “No movement. No signal. Kaelani’s gone dark.”

Julian dragged a hand through his hair, the strands tousled and unkempt from too many sleepless nights.

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