Page 156 of Rookie Rules

Theo checked something beyond the camera. "I have a call in four minutes. Send me every Boreal revision from now on. I promise to be only moderately insulting about their indemnity language."

"Thank you."

"Eat breakfast."

"You are not our mother."

"She outsourced surveillance to the more efficient child."

The call ended.

The room returned to silence, but it was no longer empty in the same way. Luca had not told Theo the name. He had not told him that the person was his captain, mentor, and center. Yet one true thing had crossed the distance: there had been someone, and losing him hurt.

It was more acknowledgment than Luca had permitted himself since the parking level.

At practice, Vale began with the failed final sequence.

No accusation. No public autopsy. He placed Rowan's line against Nolan and Eli and told them to run the entry until conviction matched execution.

On the first attempt, Luca carried wide. Rowan arrived underneath. The opening appeared.

Luca passed without looking for permission.

The puck met Rowan's tape.

Rowan sent it immediately to Finn at the far post. Eli broke up the finish with a good stick.

"Again," Vale called.

They reset.

Second attempt: Finn forced the switch early. Luca curled high and covered Rowan's exit. Rowan found him in the slot. Luca shot over the net.

"Again."

By the fifth repetition, their timing returned. Not the old instinctive ease. Something more deliberate. Each man made his read and trusted the next man to make his.

After Luca scored on the sixth, Rowan skated beside him toward center.

"Better," Rowan said.

Luca kept his eyes on the drill forming ahead. "The read was always right."

"I know."

Two words. No hidden request.

Luca nodded and took his position.

Later, during a small-area game, Rowan's stride shortened when he pushed right. Luca saw it. Concern rose so fast it almost moved his body toward him.

He stayed in the play.

At the whistle, he addressed Owen. "Nineteen is protecting the right side."

Professional fact. Correct channel.

Rowan's head turned sharply.