Smoke. Fire. The scent of burned circuits and broken glass.
Lucien's private escape tunnel was hidden beneath the floor panels—a feature only three people knew about.
Now Aria was the fourth.
"You're bleeding," she said as they ran through the underground corridor.
He didn't answer.
"I didn't hack your system," she added, desperate, breathless. "But I think I know who did."
Lucien stopped cold. He turned to her.
His shirt was torn, blood blooming near his shoulder.
"Start talking."
She met his eyes. No more lies. No more pretending.
"My name isn't Elena Frost," she said. "It's Aria Quinn. And the people who attacked your building tonight? They're not after you."
Pause.
"They're after me."
---