Elira's POV

My boots crunched against steel as Matteo led the way while my eyes darted around, scanning, calculating. I followed, alert, fingers twitching , tracing the invisible lines of security in mind. I trusted Matteo…but to an extent. Even the flicker in his unreadable expression drew my attention.

He had always been like that— cold, reserved and controlled. If his expressions slipped away, then it was a big deal.

We headed down the narrow alley of the abandoned station, then we passed through a rusted metal door that groaned like it remembered screams. A stairwell spiralled beneath the city leading to the underground Matteo promised would become mine.

If...