The tunnel was silent except for the steady hum of ventilation systems. The emergency lighting cast long, sharp shadows against the metallic walls, giving the space an eerie, artificial glow. Lucas remained still, his stance measured, but his pulse hammered beneath his skin.
Jayden took a slow, deliberate step forward, hands in his pockets, exuding the same effortless arrogance that had made Lucas want to punch him back when they were still under the same roof.
"I have to admit," Jayden said, his voice smooth, amused. "I thought you'd be harder to split up."
Lucas's fingers curled into fists. "We're not here for games, Jayden."
"Aren't we?" Jayden leaned casually against the wall, tilting his head as if Lucas was some interesting puzzle to solve. "You dragged your team all the way from School 12 just to walk straight into an ambush. And why? Retaliation?" He scoffed. "Predictable. You never were much of a thinker."