Tension Rising
Persephone's presence haunted the safe house. Her silence, her grief—everything about her seemed like a dark cloud hovering over us. I could see the weight of her loss, the way she moved through the world as if she were no longer a part of it. I couldn't blame her. Losing her parents like that… it was a pain I knew too well.
But I had no time for grief. Not when everything was falling apart.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallways, snapping me out of my thoughts. My eyes locked onto the door as it swung open. Darius and Julian stepped inside, their expressions grim.
"Maximus, it's time. We've got company," Darius said, his voice low, filled with urgency.
I didn't need to ask any questions. I could feel the tension in the air, the way the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. There was danger coming.
"I'll get Persephone," I muttered, my voice cold as I moved toward the door. There was no hesitation in my steps. She was the priority now. I didn't know who was after her, but I wasn't going to let them take her. Not after everything that had happened.
As I approached her room, I didn't knock. Instead, I pushed the door open slowly. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring out the window, lost in thought. Her face was pale, her eyes red from crying. But there was a fire in her, a flicker of something that told me she wasn't as helpless as she seemed.
"Persephone," I said, my voice firm. "We need to move. Now."
She turned to look at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What's going on?"
"No time for questions. We're under attack. Get your things. Now."
Her gaze flickered to the window, her hands trembling as she stood up. "Who's after me?"
I didn't answer her. I couldn't. The less she knew, the better. She didn't need to know that the people coming for her were the same ones who had taken her parents from her. She didn't need to know that I was trying to keep her alive.
Without another word, I turned and walked out, heading toward the hallway where Julian and Darius were already waiting. The air was thick with anticipation, and I could feel the adrenaline surging through me. We were running out of time.
I glanced at my brothers. "We need to get to the car. Now."
We moved quickly, each of us taking a position, scanning the area for any signs of movement. My body was on high alert, every muscle tense as I kept my eyes trained on the hallway. It felt like we were being watched. Every corner seemed to hide an enemy.
Then, out of nowhere, the sound of a gunshot rang through the air, followed by another. The floor shook, and the lights flickered, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
"Go!" I shouted, rushing toward the exit.
As we made our way down the stairs, I could hear the sounds of footsteps behind us, getting closer with every passing second. I didn't look back. I couldn't afford to.
We reached the underground garage, and my eyes immediately found the black car parked in the corner. It was our escape, our lifeline. But I knew it wasn't going to be easy. They were coming for us, and they wouldn't stop until we were all dead.
I reached the car first, my hand already on the door when I heard the sound of more footsteps, this time much closer. I spun around, drawing my gun in one smooth motion.
A figure emerged from the shadows, a man dressed in black, his face hidden behind a mask. He didn't hesitate, raising his own weapon and firing at me. I dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the bullet, my heart pounding in my chest.
I didn't waste a second. I fired back, the shot ringing out loud in the still night. The man staggered back, clutching his side, before falling to the ground.
"Get in!" I shouted to Persephone, who had been standing frozen by the car. She was wide-eyed, but she didn't argue. She climbed in quickly, her hands shaking as she tried to steady herself.
I slammed the door shut and jumped into the driver's seat, my eyes scanning the garage for any more threats. But it was too late. The enemy was closing in.
"Go!" Julian barked from the backseat.
I didn't need to be told twice. I gunned the engine, sending the car roaring out of the garage and into the dark streets. The tires screeched as we sped down the road, leaving the chaos behind.
But the danger wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
Maximus's Point of View
I had known this day was coming.
The attack on Persephone's family was just the beginning. Whoever was behind it—whoever was pulling the strings—wasn't going to stop until they got what they wanted. And I wasn't going to let that happen.
I kept my eyes on the rearview mirror, watching for any sign of pursuit. The darkness of the night concealed their movements, but I knew they were out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Maximus, you're not telling us everything," Darius said from the back, his voice cutting through the silence. "What's really going on? Who's after her?"
I didn't answer right away. What could I say? Persephone was a target because her parents had been involved in something much bigger than her. And now, I was caught in the middle of it. But that wasn't something I could explain to her. Not yet.
"I'll tell you when it's time," I muttered, keeping my eyes on the road. "Just stay sharp."
I could feel the tension in the car, the unease in the air. Persephone wasn't talking, but I could feel her eyes on me, studying me, trying to figure out who I was. And maybe that was a good thing. She didn't need to trust me yet. But she would.
Because I wouldn't let anyone take her from me. Not while I still breathed.
End of Chapter 7