Shadow Reckoning

The Grand Cathedral loomed in the distance, its gothic spires piercing the storm-filled sky like jagged teeth. A place of worship, long abandoned, now repurposed into something darker—something profane.

Shade stood on the rooftop of a nearby building, his body rigid, his breath steady. The wind howled around him, whispering warnings he ignored. Below, a convoy of black SUVs rolled through the cathedral's rusted gates. The Vultures were gathering.

Jade was beside him, crouched low, eyes scanning the scene. She looked good in black—tight combat pants, a leather jacket hugging her figure, holsters strapped to her thighs. Dangerous. Beautiful.

She caught him staring. "What?"

Shade exhaled. "You don't have to come."

Jade smirked. "Cute. But if you think I'm letting you walk into a trap alone, you don't know me as well as you think."

Shade's fingers twitched. He did know her. He knew the way she fought, the way she played with fire. And he knew that under all her bravado, she still had scars she never talked about. Scars a lot like his.

He also knew that if something happened to her tonight—if he lost her—he wouldn't come back from it.

Jade stepped closer, tilting her head. "You're doing it again."

Shade raised a brow. "Doing what?"

Her voice softened. "Thinking too much."

She pressed against him, her hands slipping beneath his jacket, fingers skimming over the muscles of his abdomen. Shade inhaled sharply, heat flaring between them.

Her lips brushed his ear. "You know, we could wait a little longer. Let them sweat. Make them think you're hesitating."

Shade swallowed hard as her hands roamed lower. "What do you want?"

Jade smirked. "I want a lot of things."

Shade grabbed her wrist, stopping her just as she unbuckled his belt. "Focus."

Jade chuckled, her breath warm against his throat. "I am."

She pulled back, locking eyes with him. The teasing was gone now, replaced by something deeper.

Something raw.

Shade brushed a strand of hair from her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. "When this is over—"

Jade cut him off with a kiss. It wasn't playful this time. It was desperate. Hungry. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pressed herself against him, her body molding to his.

Shade groaned, gripping her hips, pulling her closer. He lost himself in her, in the taste of whiskey on her lips, in the heat between them that had been building for years.

A car door slammed below.

They pulled apart, breathing hard.

Jade licked her lips, smirking. "Guess we're saving that for later."

Shade's voice was rough. "You better not get yourself killed."

Jade winked. "Same to you, hero."

Then, together, they disappeared into the night.