Outside, the barking rises—urgent, disciplined. They’re inside wherever this shithole is. I can hear claws on concrete, the shuffle of boots that aren’t his men.
Gideon’s glare snaps back to me.
“You’ll regret this!”
I meet his eyes, unflinching.
“S-she’s mine, a-and you can’t h-have her.”
I shift, testing the chain, pain flaring but manageable.
His laugh is sharp, brittle—more for himself than for me.
Pain sears white-hot as a blade sinks deep into my side. The sound that leaves me isn’t human—just air and agony tearing out of my lungs. Steel burns through flesh, fire spreading under my ribs. My chains are the only thing keeping me upright, the metal biting deep into my wrists as I sag forward.
Gideon’s grin gleams in the swinging light, serpentine and satisfied. “You talk too much.”
I force my head up, blood wet on my lips, the room tilting in and out of focus. My heartbeat roars in my ears, drowning outeverything. I draw a broken breath as he plunges the blade in again, and again.
“Any. Last. Words.” He spits, breathless.
“Fass.” I say, as I spit a mouthful of phlegm and blood right into his face.
A low growl rolls through the corridor. Claws scrape concrete. My chest tightens. They’re here.
The word leaves me like a promise—like a spark—and then hell ignites.
Klause bursts through the smoke first, a blur of muscle and fury. He hits the nearest guard like a missile, jaws locking around his throat. Blood sprays the walls. Screams fill the air.
Artemis follows, silent, precise, her body low to the ground before she lunges—teeth flashing, bone crunching.
I drag a breath, copper coating my tongue.
“S-spur…Mommy. Go.”
They bolt, dark shapes vanishing through the doorway. Gunfire erupts. The smell of gunpowder and blood fills the room.
“Sir, I’ve located Mr. Baker. I need a medic now.”
Voices blur. I can’t keep my eyes open. They’re too heavy. My head lolls forward, the world dipping in and out of shadow.
Hands grab me, lowering me to the floor.
“Trey! Hey—Trey!”
“C-chace?” My voice sounds wrong, far away.
“Yeah, brother, I’m here.” His tone cracks, something frantic bleeding through. “The place is surrounded. My uncle’s men are sweeping the building.” He slaps my cheek. “Keep your eyes open, Trey. Come on—look at me!”
“She’ll be fine. Fuck, what did you do—getting stabbed at the last fucking second, you idiot!” A full body shiver racks me.
Why is it so goddamn cold?
“Ch—” I try to speak, but I choke instead, blood bubbling up and splattering across Chace’s face.
Oh, shit. This is bad. This is really bad.
His pupils are blown, skin drained of color. Panic twists his features.
