The city outside throbbed with danger, but inside the mansion, every sound made Aanya's nerves fray. The gunshot from the balcony still echoed in her mind, a reminder that death could strike at any moment.
Rey moved like a shadow, tense and precise. "Stay close," he murmured, guiding her to the hidden staircase leading to the private underground passage.
"I'm not a child!" Aanya snapped, though her voice shook.
"You're not, but you're not alone either," he said, his eyes locking onto hers. There was a flicker of something softer in them—something almost… human.
They reached the underground passage and paused. Aanya's heart raced as she realized the enormity of what was happening: every corner, every step could be their last.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—a masked attacker wielding a knife. Aanya froze. Rey's hand shot out, catching her wrist and pulling her behind him. In a heartbeat, the fight was over, the intruder fleeing into the darkness.
Her chest heaved. She looked up at Rey. "You… saved me again."
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied her, his gaze intense. "And I will, every time," he said quietly.
A shiver ran down her spine. She hated that his words gave her both fear and a strange warmth. The line between enemy and protector was blurring—and she didn't know if she wanted it to.