Austin lost track of how long the dark had held them.
Time dissolved into nothing more than Selene’s shallow breaths and the constant, throbbing burn in his wrists. The warehouse had fallen quiet again—not peaceful quiet, but the kind that waits, coiled and patient, like a fist about to open.
Selene shifted, the ropes creaking faintly against her chair.
“Austin…” Her voice was barely there, cracked and small.
“I’m right here,” he answered instantly, scooting as close as the chains let him. The metal bit deeper into his skin; he ignored it. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She tried to swallow, throat working visibly. “She’s serious. I saw it in her eyes.”
“I know,” he said, softer. “But she doesn’t get to win.”
Selene’s lips trembled. A long beat passed.
“Babe…” The word c
