The lights went out, but the screens blazed with Tyrus’s green glare. My chest constricted. Fear shot through me like electricity. Every instinct screamed that nothing in this lab, nothing in me, could stop what was coming.
“Vordon…” I whispered, but my voice sounded small against the chaos. My hands shook, trembling with both pride and raw panic. Could I protect him? Could I protect myself? Could I even survive this?
He didn’t answer immediately. His blue eyes scanned me, sharp, questioning, vulnerable. I felt the sting of jealousy flare. He was afraid, but he wasn’t looking at the danger. He was watching me.
“I… trust you,” he finally said, voice low, but steady. A tremor of something softer, maybe fear for me, maybe pride, ran under his words.
I swallowed hard. My chest ached with d
