When Fire Devours Ice
The storm outside raged like a beast unchained, rain hammering against the tall glass windows of Lucias's mansion. Lightning split the night sky, flooding the halls with flashes of white, and the distant growl of thunder rolled like drums of war.
Kai was seated at the desk in the guest wing, his laptop glowing faintly, eyes sharp as he tapped away. His fingers moved like a pianist, executing codes only he understood. He barely heard the storm—until suddenly, the house fell silent.
The screens went dark.
The hum of electricity died.
The mansion was swallowed whole by blackness.
Kai's heart jumped. For a man who lived through shadows, silence this heavy was unnatural.
The door slammed open.
Lucias stood there, tall and commanding, his presence filling the room even without light. The faint shimmer of his gun reflected in the storm's glow behind him.
"The power's out," Lucias said flatly, voice low. "And it wasn't the storm. Someone cut it."
Kai leaned back in his chair, feigning calm despite his pulse racing. "Maybe you should pay your electricity bills on time."
Lucias stepped forward, the weight of his boots echoing. He reached down, grabbed Kai by the collar, and pulled him up until their faces were inches apart. In the flicker of lightning, Kai caught the sharpness of his eyes—fire burning behind storm-grey irises.
"Not the time for jokes, brat," Lucias hissed. "There are wolves in these walls tonight."
Before Kai could retort, a sound cut through the darkness—a shatter, like glass breaking somewhere down the corridor.
Lucias released him instantly, gun raised. "Stay close."
Kai's pride screamed at the command, but his instincts knew better. He moved quickly, following Lucias into the hall. The blackout turned the mansion into a labyrinth of shadows. Each strike of lightning briefly revealed oil paintings, tall vases, and the sharp glint of steel chandeliers, only to vanish again in suffocating dark.
Kai whispered, "You've got emergency generators. Why aren't they kicking in?"
"They were disabled," Lucias muttered, jaw tight. "Whoever's here knew where to hit."
A chill settled over Kai. He hated the thought—but whoever planned this was good.
They moved silently, Lucias in front, Kai a step behind. The silence stretched until—
Gunfire cracked.
Bullets shattered into the walls, sparks flying from where metal met marble. Lucias shoved Kai hard into an alcove, his arm pressing against his chest, keeping him pinned. Kai could feel the warmth of him even through layers of fabric.
"Stay down," Lucias ordered. He leaned out, returned fire with precision. Each shot echoed like thunder.
Kai's heart pounded—not just from danger, but from the suffocating closeness. Lucias's breath brushed his ear, hot and commanding.
"I don't take orders," Kai muttered stubbornly.
Lucias turned his head just enough that their eyes met in the faintest glow of lightning. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Then consider it advice."
The shooting stopped. The hall fell silent once more.
Then—footsteps. More than one. Closing in.
Lucias glanced at Kai, and without hesitation, grabbed his wrist. "Move."
They ran through the darkened corridors, navigating by memory and instinct. The storm outside roared like it wanted to tear the mansion apart.
Finally, Lucias shoved open the door to one of the secure rooms—a study reinforced with steel. He pushed Kai inside first, then entered, locking the door behind them.
The darkness here was thicker. The only light came in flashes through a high, narrow window.
Kai caught his breath, leaning against the desk. "So what's the plan, boss? Hide in here until they get bored and leave?"
Lucias turned, stalking closer. In the brief flare of lightning, his face looked carved from stone, his eyes fierce.
"The plan," he said, stepping into Kai's space until their chests nearly touched, "is to figure out who sent them. And then—burn them to ash."
Kai tilted his chin up, defiant even as the heat of Lucias's nearness stole his air. "And I suppose you're dragging me into this because… what? You're afraid of the dark?"
Lucias's gaze dipped briefly to his lips, then back up. His voice dropped lower, rougher. "Because I don't trust anyone else to watch my back right now."
The words hit Kai like a blade sliding past his defenses. For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them—heavy, charged, dangerous.
Their faces hovered close. Too close. The storm outside roared, daring them to close the distance.
But before either could act, a gunshot echoed—much closer this time, right outside the steel door.
Both snapped back to reality.
Kai cursed under his breath. Lucias raised his weapon again, eyes locked on the door, his voice a dangerous growl.
"This isn't over."
Kai's pulse hammered, and he wasn't sure if it was from the enemy outside—or the fire smoldering in the man before him.
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