Darker.
Closer.
Like it’s watching us.
Every step we take crunches too loud.
Every breath feels too sharp.
Ace is in front of me.
Close enough that I can see the tension in his shoulders.
The way he scans every shadow like something could step out at any second.
He hasn’t relaxed.
Not once.
Not since Daniel touched me.
My chest tightens at the memory—
But I push it down.
Focus.
That’s what matters now.
Focus.
“He’s heading somewhere,” I whisper.
Ace doesn’t turn.
“Talk to me.”
“He’s not just running,” I say. “If he wanted to disappear, he would’ve. He’s drawing us.”
“Into what?” Trigger asks quietly from the side.
I swallow.
“I don’t know yet.”
But I feel it.
Something building.
Something wrong.
Blaze slows suddenly.
“Signal’s stronger,” he says. “He’s close.”
How close?
“Fifty yards,” Blaze adds.
