Shadow Reckoning

Shade ran.

He didn't know how he had broken free, only that he had seconds to escape before whatever force Lucian had unleashed consumed him.

Jade was waiting.

She had infiltrated the cathedral, taking out guards with silent efficiency. When she saw him stagger out of the dark, she cursed. "What the hell happened?"

Shade grabbed her wrist. "We need to go. Now."

But as they moved—

Lucian's voice echoed through the hall.

"You can't run forever, Shade."

The walls pulsed. The air pulsed.

Shade and Jade reached the exit just as the cathedral collapsed.

Stone crumbled. The roof caved in.

They barely made it out before the entire structure imploded, dust and debris swallowing it whole.

Jade coughed, staring at the ruins. "What the fuck was that?"

Shade's hands trembled.

Because he didn't know.

But deep inside, he felt something had changed.

Lucian Black wasn't just a crime lord.

He was something else.

And now?

Shade wasn't sure he could stop him.

Jade touched his arm. "Talk to me."

Shade swallowed hard.

Then he did the only thing he could.

He pulled her in and kissed her—hard, desperate, needing to feel something real.

Jade responded instantly, fisting his shirt, pressing against him, pouring heat and frustration into him.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless, she smirked. "Damn, if I knew all it took was a near-death experience…"

Shade exhaled sharply. "This isn't over."

Jade's gaze darkened. "Then let's finish it."

And with that, they disappeared into the city.

Ready for war.