**CH 29
The echo of the closing door still lingered in the underground corridor when Aria realized she was no longer breathing properly.
The silence was thick—unnatural—like the world itself had paused to watch what would happen next.
Damon stood inches away from her, his body shielding hers instinctively, his hand still gripping hers tightly as if letting go would mean losing her forever. The dim emergency lights flickered, casting sharp shadows across his face, making his eyes look darker… more dangerous.
“You okay?” he asked softly, though his jaw was clenched tight.
Aria nodded, but her heart was racing so fast she feared he could hear it. Not just from fear—but from the way his thumb brushed slowly over her knuckles, grounding her, igniting something dangerously warm inside her.
