ETZOOEDITS

Looking for more?

She’s already breathing hard when the last enemy falls.

The air still hums with residual energy, sharp and metallic, and Lissy wipes the back of her hand across her mouth without slowing. Alone is faster. Alone is cleaner. Alone means no one gets in the way.

A flicker on her tracker makes her scowl.

“Don’t.” she mutters under her breath, already knowing it’s too late.

Boots hit the ground behind her—too close, too sudden—and she spins, weapon raised.

“You’re kidding me.”

Sylus stands there like he’s always been part of the scenery. Calm. Unhurried. Eyes already on her, scanning for injuries she hasn’t admitted to yet.

“You weren’t answering,” he says.

“I was busy,” she snaps. “I had it handled.”

He doesn’t argue. He never does. He just steps closer, presence settling around her like a weight she refuses to name.

Another enemy lunges from the shadows—fast, desperate, stupid.

Lissy moves first, but Sylus is faster.

He’s there before she can finish the motion, body turning just enough to block the strike meant for her spine. The impact lands against his arm instead. Bare skin. No weapon. No hesitation.

“Sylus—”

He doesn’t look back.

His hand closes around the enemy’s wrist. There’s a sharp crack, then another, and the fight ends as quickly as it started. Efficient. Brutal. Quiet.

When he finally turns, there’s blood on his knuckles.

His gaze flicks over her again, softer now. Checking. Always checking.

“I had it under control.” she says, voice tight.

“So did I.” he replies easily.

She scoffs, turning away before he can see the relief she doesn’t want to explain. “You didn’t have to step in.”

“I know.”

That’s the thing about him. He never says I’d do it again. He never says I was worried. He just stays close enough that she doesn’t have to wonder.

She exhales, slower this time. Steadier.

“…Thanks,” she mutters, like it costs her something.

Sylus smiles—not sharp, not smug. Just knowing.

And for a moment, with the danger gone and his shadow still at her side, Lissy lets herself believe she was never truly alone at all.