r 10:

AN

at, each wave crashing against the inside of my head, making my vision blur for a second too long. The world aroun

s, the floors, and the bodies strewn across tattered couches and sticky tables. The remnants of last ni

embered how i

Amara had b

hin, unyielding line. She had been radiating frustration, her hands clenched into tight fists

had let

my first

the night surfaced in pieces, scattered like shattered glass. Music-loud, pulsing like a heartbeat. Drin

the

me, her touch eager, desperate. A

a dark corner, her breath hot against my skin, her hands

ething f

and refused to leave. My pulse quickened, not from the hangover, not from the

war

emembered

ma

n shadows, eyes burning with something unreadable.

she wa

d into t

ausea crashing through me, but I gritted my teeth and forced it down. My heartbeat

ing was

y fingers trembling as I f

thi

lls. No texts

t si

ing dread set

. Not without telling someone where she was going. She wasn't reckless. She knew the da

d y

was

he remnants of last night's haze. Every muscle in my body ached, stiff and uncooperative,

ed to f

to scattered wreckage. A few stragglers remained-some passed out, ot

the bouncers. He was hunched over the bar, a steaming

sharper than I intended. "Ama

d up. "Left before

lithered thro

lon

e. "Seemed like it. She was pissed, mutterin

N

dn't mak

never j

. Not without

ge. A storm raged inside me, violent and unrelentin

the morning air hit me like a blade-sharp, cold, biting through the remnants of last night's heat. The city was stir

streets at this hour. Few

as I scanned the alley, sear

d t

omach

red on the

insignificant.

lo

drop. Th

to the darkness bey

still-wet stain. The scent hit me instantly-sharp and

was fresh

d in my throat, the

adn't ju

ad bee

out to learn why I was the last

g my focus, burning away the last traces of weakness. My mi

ould t

W

e hell had th

the panic clawing at my ribs. Fear was use

uch, just faint smears along the cracked pavement, but it was enough. My senses s

had f

he uneven pattern-it wasn't a cl

he had

hone again, dialing the only person who could help

Wh

the club before sunrise, and there's blood leading ou

len

exhale. "I'll

tightening around my phone

ward the city, the weight of my next

out there

tear this city apa