The cabin smelled of smoke and sweat, of blood drying on Adrian’s skin and fear still clinging to mine. Outside, the forest whispered as though it already knew the sun would soon betray us, drawing shadows back into light.
I hadn’t slept. Not really. Every time my eyes closed, I jolted awake, certain I would find Daniel standing in the doorway with that cold, merciless gaze.
But each time, it was only Adrian—breathing shallowly beside me, fighting for strength he didn’t have to spare.
I watched him now in the dim blue haze of dawn. His jaw was rough with stubble, his lips swollen from the way we had kissed each other like drowning souls desperate for air. My hand hovered above his cheek, aching to touch, terrified to wake him.
He stirred anyway, as though my thoughts had pulled him fro
