"Haah… Haah… Hah… Haah…" I panted desperately, yanking Ariana along with me as I sprinted through the winding alleys of the Black Market.
Narrow.
The chances had been dangerously narrow.
We had barely escaped. So close, in fact, that if I had hesitated for even a second longer, I wouldn't have just been trapped—I would've been trapped forever. And Ariana… she would have died.
"Ryan…"
Her voice was weak. Barely there.
We had already reached the exit—I was sure of it. But I didn't stop. I didn't answer her. I just kept pulling her forward, past the threshold, beyond the market, beyond the danger. Only then would I allow myself to feel safe.
Because the only reason I even managed to escape that hell in the first place…
Was because I did the one thing she never expected.
I gave her the Energy she wanted.
No—more than that. I overwhelmed her with it.
