The ground shook violently.
Concrete rained from the ceiling.
Children screamed.
The emergency lights flickered between red and darkness.
“Structural failure in four minutes.”
The computerized voice echoed through Blackridge.
Damien grabbed the teenage girl.
“You know the way out?”
She nodded.
“I’ll get everyone to the chapel tunnel.”
He looked at Lucien.
“We don’t have much time.”
Lucien didn’t move.
His eyes remained fixed on Elias Mercer.
“Go.”
⸻
Sienna squeezed Lucien’s hand.
“I’m staying.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“This ends with me.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“It ends with us.”
Their eyes locked.
There wasn’t time to argue.
Lucien simply nodded once.
“Stay behind me.”
She smiled faintly.
“You know I won’t.”
Despite everything…
A corner of his mouth lifte
