The morning light barely filtered through the reinforced glass of the Labyrinth HQ. After the chaos of last night, everything felt surreal—quiet, almost too peaceful. I ran my fingers over my gloves, the faint tingle of my lethal aura reminding me that even in rest, I was dangerous.
Athanasius was beside me, shoulders slightly tense, eyes scanning every corner as if expecting another Hydra ambush. Yet… there was a softness in his gaze, a tension between caution and… something else.
“You’re awake earlier than usual,” he said, voice low, almost hesitant. His emerald eyes caught mine, flickering with something unspoken.
“I sleep lightly,” I replied, trying to mask the flutter in my chest. “After last night… I can’t really relax.”
He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, then stepped clo
