Page 76 of The Shadow King's Brother

Because if there’s one thing I know—

One thing carved into my goddamn bones—

It’s her.

Nica doesn’t have much time.

And neither do any of us.

* * *

The clock’s ticking.

The hallway blurs, the pain in my shoulder fading beneath a sharper, deeper ache—pure fear.

Nica.

Every breath I take here, every second wasted, is one step closer to...

I can't even let the thought form. My muscles coil, primed for the hunt.

Adrenaline screams at me to turn back, to tear Eddie apart, to make him choke on his own taunts—to wipe that smug grin off his face forever.

Justice demands it.

But something else—something stronger—pulls me in the opposite direction.

Her face. The curve of her lips. The way her eyes crinkle at the corners when she laughs. The fire that burns behind them. The ghost of her hand in mine.

Every fiber of me wants retribution.

Wants to make him pay.

But if I turn back now, if I give in to that fury… I might lose her.

Forever.

I clench my fists. The gun bites into my palm like a warning.

Does he expect me to come after him?

Maybe he’s counting on it.

He thinks he knows me.

Was he bluffing about the button?

There are too many questions. Too little time.

Fuck. I forgot to take his phone.I’m such an idiot.

But my legs are already moving, thundering down the hallway. Doors fly open left and right. Going back would slow me down. I can't afford that.

"Fuck. Nica!" I shout. My voice echoes, frantic, splintering off the walls.

No answer.

I can almost hear Eddie's laughter chasing after me as I run. But when I look back, no one is there.

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