Chapter 34
The city lights flickered faintly through the tall, cracked windows of the abandoned safehouse. After narrowly escaping the Labyrinth, my chest still burned from running, my gloves still tingling from suppressed instincts. Athanasius leaned against the metal railing, arms crossed, jaw tight. Even after all our encounters, the dangerous calm in his posture never failed to unsettle me—and excite me, in ways I couldn’t admit.
Viveron was already setting up her tech, scanning for Hydra signals. “We’re clear for now,” she muttered, eyes fixed on her screen. “But they’ll regroup soon. This was just a probe.”
Portgas flopped onto the floor, groaning. “I swear… my arms are on fire. Literally.” His flames had burned hotter than usual during the Labyrinth chase.
I kept my distance fro
