Beneath the Flame
265 Words
Chapter 32: Beneath the Flame
Lena couldn’t sleep.
Jay’s words echoed in her head: “I’m scared of losing you.”
How could someone like him—a man so hardened, so guarded—utter something so vulnerable?
She rose, barefoot on the cold floor, and walked out onto the balcony. The city stretched before her like a sleeping beast. Somewhere out there, danger crept closer. She could feel it.
But right now, all she could feel was the weight of her own heart.
A soft sound behind her.
Jay.
He stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes shadowed.
“You’re not safe out here,” he said quietly.
“I’m not safe anywhere, am I?”
Jay stepped closer. “Not until this ends.”
“What is this, Jay?” she turned to him. “This thing between us. Are we pretending it’s not happening?”
He looked away, then back at her. “I’m not pretending.”
“Then why do you keep pulling away?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped forward, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered on her cheek.
“If I let myself want you…” he whispered, “you’ll be the one thing they’ll use to break me.”
Lena’s breath caught.
“I’m not fragile,” she said.
Jay leaned closer, lips near hers—but he stopped. Inches away.
“I know,” he whispered. “And that’s why it terrifies me.”
He stepped back. Walked away.
And Lena, standing alone in the moonlight, realized she was already burning.
- Writer
