ASTRID

CHAPTER 5

I hear another gunshot—sharp, echoing from the other side of the corridor. My pulse spikes.

No time to think.

I drop to one knee, ripping the rifle from the downed soldier’s grip. It’s heavier than I expected, its sleek black surface cool against my fingers. I check the magazine—fully loaded. Good. I’ll use this.

“Astrid!” Kenny hisses behind me, his voice edged with disbelief. “Earth to you!”

I glance over my shoulder. He’s staring at the body on the floor, then at me, like he can’t quite believe what just happened. Like he can’t believe I took down an armed soldier alone.

I don’t have time for his shock.

I push to my feet, gripping the rifle tighter. “Let’s go, Kenny.” My voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.

He hesitates for a split second, then finally nods.

We move.

Bodies litter the ground—some motionless, others groaning weakly. Blood stains the cold steel floors, mingling with the acrid scent of smoke. Some of them were shot. Others… burned. Charred beyond recognition. My stomach churns.

What did this?

We weave through the devastation, making our way toward my father’s office when—

WHOOSH!

A sudden blast of fire erupts ahead, igniting the walls in a violent inferno. Heat slams into us, forcing us back. Flames crawl hungrily across the ceiling, flickering in shades of orange and blue. This isn’t just a fire. It’s spreading too fast—unnatural, alive.

“Kenny—” I choke out, pressing myself against the nearest wall. The air is thick with smoke. “What the hell is happening?”

“I—I don’t know,” he stammers, coughing into his sleeve. His eyes are wide, reflecting the dancing flames.

Then I see it.

A massive figure steps through the fire like it’s nothing. A shadow against the blaze.

As he emerges, the details sharpen—

A man, towering, clad in a heavy black jumpsuit. His muscular arms are bare, marked with streaks of red and black that look almost like veins of molten lava running beneath his skin. His face is the same—his eyes burning, his mouth curling into a slow, wicked grin.

Then—

He inhales.

And breathes fire.

A massive torrent of flames rushes toward us.

Kenny yells. I barely have time to react before I shove him down, throwing myself to the side as the flames scorch the air where we stood a second ago. The heat sears my skin even from a distance.

This isn’t possible. This shouldn’t be possible.

The fire dies down for a moment, and I hear the man chuckle—a deep, rumbling sound. He knows we’re trapped.

I grip my rifle tighter, my mind racing. Bullets won’t stop him, not if he can just burn us alive before we even pull the trigger.

I need to get close.

I glance at Kenny, who’s watching the fire-breathing man with tense, darting eyes. He’s waiting for an opening.

I’ll give him one.

Taking a breath, I push off the ground and lunge forward.

“Astrid!” Kenny shouts, but I ignore him.

The man sees me coming. His grin widens. He opens his mouth—ready to release another deadly inferno.

I don’t stop.

I slam into him.

The moment my hands touch his bare skin—

Something shifts.

The glow beneath his skin flickers. His molten-red veins pulse once—then dim.

The fire dies in his throat. His eyes widen in shock.

I don’t understand what’s happening. I only know one thing—

He’s vulnerable.

And Kenny realizes it, too.

BANG!

A gunshot rings out.

The man jerks as the bullet punches into his chest. He staggers, blinking in stunned confusion—like he can’t comprehend what just happened.

Then his body collapses to the ground.

I stumble back, breathless, staring at my hands. My fingers tingle. The heat from his skin lingers there, but… something else does too.

What was that?

Kenny doesn’t wait to ask questions. He grabs my arm, yanking me back toward the hall. “We need to go!”

I don’t argue. I don’t even think.

I just run.