The warehouse was too still.
Ayu leaned against the wall, her bandaged arm throbbing. She had just begun to steady her breathing when Luv's head tilted, sharp as a wolf catching a scent.
"What is it?" she whispered.
He didn't answer. His hand went to the knife at his belt. Then he spoke, voice low, clipped. "They're coming."
Ayu's stomach dropped. "Already? But—"
"Noise carries," he cut her off. "Those bodies in the alley weren't the end. They'll send more. They'll send better."
As if on cue, faint footsteps echoed outside—many of them. The crunch of boots on gravel, the click of rifles being readied. A harsh male voice barked orders.
Ayu's blood ran cold. Reinforcements.
Luv's eyes darted to a broken window at the far end of the warehouse. "We move. Now."
They slipped into the shadows, hearts pounding. But before they reached the exit, the door they had entered earlier slammed open. Blinding light poured in, cutting through the darkness.
"Found them!" a voice shouted.
Gunfire erupted, deafening, spraying across the walls. Splinters flew as bullets tore through wood and metal.
Ayu hit the ground, covering her head. The noise rattled her bones. Fear clawed at her chest, but then Luv's hand gripped her shoulder, steady and commanding.
"Stay low. Follow me."
He led her in a crouch, weaving through the chaos. A bullet grazed his sleeve, another whistled past her ear. Adrenaline surged, drowning out her fear.
They reached the window. Luv smashed the frame with his elbow and hauled her through. The cold night air hit her lungs like ice.
But outside wasn't safe. Shadows moved—five, six men surrounding the warehouse, weapons drawn.
Ayu's heart lurched. "We're trapped—"
"No," Luv said, his voice a blade. His black eyes locked on the enemies. "We fight."
And before she could stop him, he charged.