Shadows in the Dark

Chapter 27: Shadows in the Dark

Lucian woke to the sound of footsteps.

Too light for a soldier. Too careful for a drunk survivor.

Someone was sneaking through his stronghold.

His red eyes snapped open. Evelyn was still asleep beside him, her bare skin glowing in the dim light. But Lucian was already moving—silent as death.

He grabbed his pistol and stepped toward the door.

Click.

A blade flashed in the darkness.

Lucian dodged, twisting his body. The knife sliced through the air where his throat had been a second earlier.

His attacker was fast.

Lucian's grip tightened on his gun. "You've got five seconds to beg."

The figure vanished into the shadows.

Lucian fired. Bang! Bang!

A grunt of pain. The sound of feet stumbling.

Lucian smirked. "Got you."

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The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Lucian stalked forward, following the scent of blood.

The would-be assassin tried to flee through the back exit, but Lucian was faster.

He slammed the door shut, pinning the figure against the wall. His gun pressed against their throat.

Lucian's smirk grew. A woman.

She had short black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a body made for speed. A mercenary? No—an assassin.

"Who sent you?" Lucian growled.

She spat at him.

Lucian chuckled. Wrong move.

His fingers tightened around her throat. "You just wasted your last chance."

The assassin's blue eyes flashed with defiance. "Kill me. I won't talk."

Lucian's smirk deepened. "Kill you? No."

His gaze darkened. "You're too valuable for that."

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A New Pawn on the Board

Lucian had her tied to a chair, hands behind her back.

She glared at him. Defiant. Strong.

Lucian liked that.

He crouched in front of her, eyes gleaming. "Tell me your name."

Silence.

Lucian gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You'll break eventually."

She smirked. "Keep dreaming."

Lucian chuckled. "Oh, I will. But first—"

He grabbed a knife, pressing it against her thigh. "Let's see how long that attitude lasts."

She shivered, but not from fear.

Lucian's grin widened. This was going to be fun.

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To Be Continued…