Chapter 1

The night air was thick with the scent of damp earth and city smoke, a suffocating combination that made Lily's pulse hammer in her ears. Her soaked boots slapped against the rain-slick pavement as she ran, her breath coming in sharp gasps. Behind her, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the empty alley. Noah Carter was close. Too close.

She didn't dare look back.

The worn leather notebook was pressed tightly against her chest, her fingers gripping it like a lifeline. She had risked everything for this—her safety, her sanity—and she wasn't about to let some mercenary take it from her now.

She skidded around a corner, nearly losing her balance on the wet ground. The old buildings loomed over her like silent watchers, their broken windows and crumbling brick walls remnants of a past no one cared to remember.

A dead end.

Lily's stomach twisted as she turned, her back hitting the cold, unforgiving stone. Her breath came in short, uneven bursts as she scanned the alley for an escape. There was none.

And then he was there.

Noah Carter stepped into the dim light, his dark coat clinging to his frame, rain dripping from the ends of his tousled hair. His expression was unreadable, but his stance was predatory—calm, controlled, and utterly dangerous.

"You're not as good at running as you think," he said, his voice a low drawl.

Lily forced herself to lift her chin, ignoring the fear coiling in her stomach. "And you're not as good at catching me as you think."

His lips quirked slightly, but there was no amusement in his eyes. "Give me the book, Lily."

She held it tighter. "No."

A muscle in his jaw ticked. "You don't understand what you're getting yourself into."

"You think I don't know that?" she snapped, the exhaustion and frustration breaking through. "I've spent years searching for the truth, and now I finally have a piece of it. I'm not handing it over just because some hired gun tells me to."

Noah took a slow step forward, and instinctively, Lily pressed herself further against the wall. He noticed—of course, he did. Nothing seemed to escape his sharp gaze.

"That book will get you killed," he said.

"Then let me die with it."

Something flickered in his expression, something unreadable, before it was gone just as quickly. "You don't know what you're saying."

Lily swallowed hard, forcing herself to steady her breathing. "Then tell me."

A heavy silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant rumble of thunder. For a moment, she thought he might.

But instead, he sighed and reached for the book.

Lily reacted without thinking. She shoved herself off the wall, ducking under his outstretched arm, and bolted.

Noah cursed, his footsteps following hers instantly. She sprinted back the way she came, pushing past the burning in her lungs, willing herself to be faster, smarter. But Noah was faster.

A strong arm caught her around the waist, pulling her back. Lily let out a strangled gasp as she collided against his chest, the force of the movement knocking the air from her lungs.

"Let me go!" she shouted, struggling against his hold.

"Not a chance."

She twisted, fought, kicked—but Noah was immovable. The heat of his body against hers only fueled her frustration.

"Stop fighting me," he growled, his breath warm against her ear. "I'm not your enemy."

Lily stilled just enough to turn her head and glare at him. "You sure as hell aren't my friend, either."

His grip loosened slightly but didn't release her. "If I let you go, will you stop running like an idiot?"

She hesitated. If she agreed, she might have a chance to talk her way out of this. If she refused, he would probably throw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and take the book by force.

"Fine," she bit out.

Slowly, Noah let her go, his hands lingering just a second too long before he stepped back. She took a shaky breath, her heart still racing.

"You want the book?" she said, lifting it slightly. "Then tell me why it's so important."

Noah's expression darkened. "Because the truth in that book will get you killed."

Lily exhaled sharply, gripping the worn leather tighter. "Then I guess I have to read it, don't I?"

He cursed under his breath. "You're a pain in the ass."

"You're not the first to say that."

A flicker of something—amusement, maybe—crossed his face, but it was gone before she could be sure.

"You're coming with me," Noah said.

Lily's eyes narrowed. "Like hell I am."

"You don't have a choice," he said, stepping closer again, his presence overwhelming. "Because if you stay out here alone, you won't live long enough to regret it."

And for the first time that night, Lily realized that maybe—just maybe—he was right.