Before Eli could even decide what to say, a sound cut through the cavern.
Not Mio's twisted laughter. Not the hiss of threads.
A groan.
A new voice.
"Ugh… h-how long was I out? What… is happening…?"
Both Eli and Kairo's eyes widened. Eli jerked his head up from Kairo's shoulder, blinking through the haze of pain.
"Ah," Mio purred, lips curling into something sharp. He brought his hands together in a slow, mocking clap.
Each smack of palm against palm sent another stab of agony through Eli's skull, making him flinch. "One of the two sleeping beauties finally woke up. Good morning, Zai."
"Zaira," Kairo called, voice cold and cutting through the chaos.
"Please be direct to the point," Zaira muttered, clutching her head. Her tone was sharp, but strained. "I'm sorry for being disrespectful, Captain, Mio, but my head really—" Her voice broke into a gasp. "What the fuck?!"
Eli felt it before he saw it.
Danger.
Not aimed at him anymore—but at her.
