Chapter– Into the Flames Again

The alarm’s shrill cry sliced through the compound like a blade, dragging me out of sleep and straight into panic.

Lucien bolted upright beside me. “Stay here,” he ordered, reaching for his gun.

But I was already up, cradling Nico tighter in my arms as his tiny body stirred from the noise.

His sleepy voice cracked, “What’s happening?”

“I’ve got you,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead as I pulled a blanket over his head. “Don’t let go.”

Lucien rushed out into the hall, barking orders, his footsteps pounding away while I moved swiftly to the reinforced panic room we’d prepared just days...