Elegbede_Habeeb

The first time they met, it felt like fate. The second time, it felt like a warning.

She was running from a past that refused to die. He was chasing a future that seemed just out of reach. When their worlds collided, it was more than just love—it was an obsession, a wildfire that threatened to burn them both alive.

But love isn’t always salvation. Sometimes, it’s destruction in disguise.

Bound by Fire: Ashes of Desire

The warehouse smelled of rust and damp wood. A single, flickering bulb cast long shadows across the cracked concrete floor. Evelyn tightened her grip on Luca, who sagged against her, his body burning up with fever.

Julian's gun was still raised, pointed directly at Rayna. "What do you mean they're tracking more than just Luca?"

Rayna crossed her arms, her dark eyes sharp. "I mean exactly what I said. They've been tracking all of you. Ever since that night."

Evelyn's pulse spiked. "That night?"

Rayna nodded. "The fire. The moment everything changed."

Evelyn's chest tightened as the memories crashed in—flames licking at the sky, Luca's body limp in her arms, Julian dragging them through the chaos, the sound of sirens wailing in the distance.

Julian scoffed. "We barely made it out of that alive. You're telling me they had eyes on us the whole time?"

"They had more than eyes," Rayna said. She pulled a small device from her pocket—a sleek, black chip no bigger than a coin. "They've had control."

Evelyn stepped forward, her stomach twisting. "What is that?"

Rayna tossed it onto a nearby table. "A neural tracker. State-of-the-art. It monitors movement, location, and—" she hesitated, glancing at Luca, "biological responses."

Evelyn's breath hitched. "You mean—"

"Yes." Rayna's voice was grim. "They know when he's weak. When he's hurt. When he's vulnerable."

Luca let out a ragged breath. His head tilted slightly toward Evelyn. "That's why… I feel it…" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Evelyn's grip on him tightened. "Luca, stay with me."

Rayna turned to Julian. "We need to get it out of him. Now."

Julian frowned. "And how do you suggest we do that? We don't exactly have an operating room in here."

Rayna smirked. "Who needs an operating room when you have me?"

Evelyn's stomach twisted. "You're not seriously suggesting—"

"We don't have time for anything else." Rayna's tone was firm. "They know where we are. If we don't act now, we might not get another chance."

Julian exchanged a glance with Evelyn. "We can't just let some stranger dig into him."

Rayna raised a brow. "Then let them find us. See how that goes."

Then, Luca lifted his head slightly, eyes dull but determined. "Do it."

Evelyn's heart clenched. "Luca—"

He gave her a weak smile. "I trust you."

Rayna didn't wait for more discussion. She pulled a knife from her boot, its edge gleaming in the dim light. "Hold him still."

Evelyn swallowed hard. This was insane. But what choice did they have?

As she pressed her forehead to Luca's, whispering reassurances, Julian moved to hold him down.

A shadowy figure stood in the doorway.

And everything descended into chaos.

Who is the figure in the doorway? Will they survive the operation? And what other secrets does Rayna know?

The Truth in the Shadows