I woke up to the sound of chains rattling.
Mine.
My wrists were bound to the headboard. Ankles too. Silk rope enchanted with runes I didn't recognize. My breath came in short gasps. My chest was bare. My skin glistened with sweat I didn't remember sweating. And my brain?
Empty.
Except for one thing.
Akane.
I could feel her. Smell her. Somewhere beyond the wall, her scent called to me like a siren—warm, sweet, sinful. My entire body ached to be against hers again. Every breath I took burned because it wasn't filled with her. Every second I wasn't touching her was agony.
I twisted against the bindings. Hard.
The door opened.
Sora walked in, wearing full tactical gear and holding a crossbow.
A crossbow.
"Don't even think about it," she said flatly, cocking the thing like she was hunting a werewolf. "One more attempted breakout and I'm tying your legs to a concrete slab."
"You don't understand," I rasped. My voice didn't even sound like me anymore. "I need her. Now."
