My wrists scream—my vision blurs.
But I stare straight into the darkness beyond the bars and force the words out of my ruined throat.
“Ronan Pierce isn’t dead.”
The guard pauses.
Just for half a second.
And that’s all I need to know.
They heard it too.
The guard curses, shoves the tray back out, and storms away down the corridor, barking into a radio.
I sag against the chains, panting, pain roaring through me.
But beneath it—
Beneath everything—
Something else rises.
Not comfort.
Not relief.
A promise.
If Ronan is alive…
He’s coming.
And when he does?
This dungeon won’t be a grave.
It’ll be a killing field. He will kill everyone who did this to his men.
And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel myself breaking.
I feel myself sharpening.
Waiting.
Ready.
28
Cal
Location: Underground Detention Site — Lower Tier
Time: Unknown
The dark isn’t the worst part.
It’s the quiet.
