The Sociopath's Cure

**KIAN**

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I stumbled backward off the bed, putting as much distance between us as possible. My heart hammered against my ribs like it was trying to escape my chest.

I'd almost hurt her.

The realization sliced through me like a blade. My hands were shaking, my skin cold with sweat. The nightmare still clung to me like smoke—screams, blood, the damp concrete floor of that hellhole where Viktor died.

Aurora sat up slowly, her wrists red where I'd gripped them. The sight made me sick.

"Kian," she whispered, reaching out.

"Don't." My voice was raw, unrecognizable. "Just... don't."

I needed to get out. The walls were closing in, the darkness threatening to pull me under again. I yanked on my jeans with trembling hands, not bothering with a shirt. Flight response kicking in, drowning everything else.

"Where are you going?" Aurora's voice was too gentle, too understanding.

It made everything worse.