Page 10 of Forbidden Empire
Aidon's expression darkened, his free hand moving toward the concealed weapon at his hip. "How many?"
I listened for a moment, counting the steps. "Three. Maybe four."
His lips twisted into a grim smile. "Easy."
The door burst open, and chaos erupted. The guards encircled us, but they did not expect Aidon's ruthlessness or my unpredictable nature.
Ducking low, my heart pounded as adrenaline raced through me. My blade flickered in the dim light as I struck the nearest guard with a quick blow to the leg. He collapsed to the ground with a grunt, and I spun around to face another opponent. Aidon moved like a flash, his attacks precise and deadly. In moments, the guards lay groaning on the ground.
Wiping a streak of blood from my cheek, I couldn't help but remark, "Remind me never to piss you off."
Aidon shot me a look that almost seemed amused, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Too late for that."
Together, we moved into the shadows, with our target tucked away in Aidon's hold. Tension simmered between us, driven by the adrenaline of battle and something even more perilous.Every accidental touch of our hands felt electrifying, and each stolen look sparked a blazing fire inside us.
Stepping into the cool night air, with the shimmering lights of Vegas in the distance, my breathing slowed. But relief didn't flood my senses, and an electric charge refused to dissipate.
"We're clear," I said, my voice betraying a hint of unsteadiness.
Aidon turned to face me, his dark gaze lingering on my face. "What's next?" he asked, his tone softer now with an edge of something undefinable.
Stepping closer, I could feel my pulse quicken at his proximity. "We use what we took to destroy Zeno," I said.
"Is that all?" he asked, his eyes dropping to my lips.
"Not even close," I admitted, feeling a hitch in my breath as his fingers brushed against my cheek.
His lips captured mine in a fierce kiss, unapologetic and driven by need. It was a clash of fury and desire that consumed us both. There was no hesitation, no pretense, just the raw intensity building between us since we met. My hands gripped his jacket, pulling him closer until there was no space left between us. His hands, strong and commanding, wrapped around my waist as if he couldn't bear to let me go.
The kiss grew more intense, his tongue exploring every part of my mouth, claiming me in a way that made my knees weak. A low growl rumbled from his chest as my fingers tangled in his hair, tugging just enough to make him take a sharp breath.
"Esme," he murmured against my lips, his voice thick with desire. "You make everything so complicated."
"Good," I whispered back, my voice trembling as his hands roamed lower, igniting a fire within me. "Complicated is more fun."
He chuckled at my reply, causing a chill to run down my spine. His lips parted from mine, leaving a trail of hot kissesalong my jaw and down to my neck. The scrape of his teeth against my sensitive skin made me gasp, and I arched toward him.
"You're going to be the death of me," he growled, his voice dripping with need and danger, each word like a promise.
"If you're lucky," I replied, unable to control the rush of heat pulsing through my body as his hands traced the curve of my hips.
In that cold, dark alleyway, our fire burned brighter than anything else. Each touch and kiss was a battle, a surrender, a constant reminder of everything we couldn't say. And as we pulled apart, our breaths mingling in the cool night air, the world seemed quieter and the stakes higher for what was yet to come.
The sound of distant sirens reached our ears, and reality crashed in.
"We need to move," I said, stepping away.
"Let's go," he agreed, though his hand lingered on mine for longer than necessary.
As we disappeared into the shadows, the tension between us remained unspoken but potent, a volatile current charged with the weight of what had happened and the undeniable pull of what was still to come.
Five
Aidon
The ornate box sat untouched on the polished coffee table, its intricate designs catching the light and reflecting it in myriad colors. It was a mesmerizing display that seemed to promise secrets and danger. My eyes couldn't help but be drawn to it, my mind racing with thoughts of what could be inside. I leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed tight over my chest as I watched Esme pace back and forth across the room. Every step she took seemed purposeful yet hesitant, a contradiction in her usual confident demeanor that left me feeling on edge.
"You still haven't told me what's inside," I said, my voice low and even but laced with an underlying sharpness. The question felt like a blade aimed right at her, a challenge to reveal the truth.
