The lights suddenly died, plunging them into absolute darkness for three heartbeats before emergency power kicked in, bathing everything in hellish red. In those three seconds of darkness, Eve moved—Scarlett heard it, felt the air displacement, smelled that cotton-candy scent intensify.
When the lights returned, Eve was pressed against Jin's back, arms wrapped around his waist, face buried against his spine. She was purring. Actually purring, like a cat made of genetic nightmares and weaponized pheromones.
"Power went out so I grabbed you!" she explained without moving. "I'm supposed to hold onto my baby-daddy during emergencies."
"The power's back on," Jin pointed out, trying to pry her arms loose. It was like trying to bend steel wrapped in silk.
"Emergency rules say I have to hold on for fifteen minutes to make sure the danger's gone!" Eve's voice was muffled against his back. "Also, you smell amazing. Like lightning and fighting and perfect genes."
