The tall figure didn't move. Just stood there, arms folded, eyes glinting in the dim light.
I froze. Every muscle tight. Gun raised. Heart racing.
"You're far from home, little girl," he said calmly.
"Who are you?" I demanded, voice shaking but firm.
"A friend… or an enemy. Depends on what you do next," he replied, slow, deliberate.
I glanced back at the tunnel. No sign of Adrian. Panic rose in my chest.
"You hurt him…" I whispered, almost a plea.
He tilted his head. "He'll survive. For now. But you…" His gaze cut deep. "You need to choose: trust me, or die here."
I swallowed hard. Every instinct screamed fight. But my brain screamed strategy.
"Why should I trust you?" I demanded.
He smirked. "Because I'm the only one standing between you and those who want you dead tonight."
I felt anger rise. "And Adrian? He's your enemy?"
He shook his head. "No. He's a problem. But one I respect."
My pulse raced. Confused. Torn. Adrian the man who saved me, bled for me, risked everything was now not alone in this war. Someone else was pulling strings, someone with even more power.
"Move," he said, finally. "Quick. They're coming."
I hesitated. Logic screamed: go with him. Heart screamed: stay loyal to Adrian.
I ran. Trusting my instincts. The figure led me through narrow passages, hidden doors, and finally… an exit.
Outside, cold air hit my face. I gasped, finally able to breathe… briefly.
Then I heard it gunfire. Shouts. Adrian's voice.
"Run! Don't stop!"
I glanced back. Through the shadows, I saw him covering the rear. Blood still seeping from his wound, eyes sharp, calculating, relentless.
My chest tightened. Fear mixed with something else… something I couldn't name yet.
"Who are you?" I demanded again as we ran.
"Call me Lucien," he said calmly. "And for tonight… I'm your only chance."
I swallowed.
And in that moment, I realized… this war was bigger than I ever imagined.
And survival was only the beginning.