Chapter Six

Elena’s POV

I stood in front of 3B with my pulse already unsteady and the decision fully formed.

The corridor sat quiet under the late hour. Whatever storm had passed through the building days earlier had left the air washed clean and still. I lifted my hand and knocked once. The sound felt louder than it should have. Footsteps approached on the other side. The lock turned. Roman opened the door as if he had been waiting in the exact place I left him the night before, already certain I would come.

He stepped aside without a word.

I crossed the threshold. The door closed behind me with...