Chapter 20
The aftermath of Hannibal's death still lingered like a shadow over the Labyrinth's control room. Even though the mission was technically a success, a heavy silence settled among us as we regrouped. I walked beside Athanasius, his presence steady, comforting, yet magnetic in a way that made my heart skip in ways I couldn't ignore.
"Grabe, Morana," Athanasius said, breaking the silence, his hand brushing against mine accidentally—or maybe deliberately. "I didn't expect him to... you know, actually push back that hard." His green eyes searched mine, but there was no judgment, just that mix of awe and concern I had come to notice in him.
"I know," I replied, keeping my gloves tightly clenched. "Pero... I can't stop thinking about how close it was. If I hadn't controlled myself,
