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Her chest heaved with uneven breaths, but she shook her head, trying not to panic.

It’s probably just Brock.

With a swift motion, she flung the door open.

But it was just Takeshi’s large silhouette standing outside, staring out at the town with his hands on his hips.

“You scared me,” she breathed out, releasing a nervous laugh. “Where is everyone?”

Takeshi slowly turned. But his face wasn’t his own—it belonged to Alexander Huxley.

Khalani’s eyes went wide, her muscles clenching tight as steel blue eyes locked onto hers, draining the color from her face.

Scream.

She needed to scream.

It was the only way to release the endless horror ripping through her veins. But her mouth clamped shut, like an iron muzzle had slammed over her face.

“Are you sure you’re asking the right questions?” he sneered.

His pale blue eyes held her captive, a magnet drawing her deeper into an endless abyss.

Khalani suddenly jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat, and her heart pounding.

She frantically glanced over, and Serene was fast asleep in the bed.

Khalani placed a hand over her chest to steady her heavy breathing. After a minute, she quietly crawled out of bed, her muscles stiff. But when Khalani opened the door, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Takeshi sat outside the doorway, his back resting against the grey couch, its white sheet flung haphazardly onto the floor. One leg was sprawled out and the other bent as he deftly flipped an obsidian blade between his fingers.

Just how many weapons did he have hidden?

Khalani regarded him longer than she should’ve. Takeshi still hadn’t removed his black gear. The way they pulled at his muscles, the casual messiness of his hair, and the deadly focus in his gaze when he tilted his head made her inhale sharply.

“What are you doing on the floor?”

“He’s been sitting there the entire time,” Adan popped around the corner, dressed in dark green sweatpants and a plain white T-shirt. “I don’t think Brock’s gotten any sleep either.”

Adan nodded toward the other side of the couch where Brock was indeed doing push-ups on the floor, his grunts of exertion audible.

“Why?” she asked.

“Someone needs to keep watch,” Brock grumbled, springing to his feet. “I don’t trust these people. I tried going outside, but our two watchdogs made me come back in. She still asleep?”

Khalani instantly knew who he was referring to. “Yeah, Serene’s still in bed. Should I wake her?”

“No.” His voice was firmer. “She needs the rest.” Brock swallowed, and just like that, his expression turned cold before he retreated down the hall.

Her brows pulled low and her gaze flickered to Takeshi, who hadn’t stopped watching her since she emerged from the bedroom.

“What?” She shifted awkwardly. “Do I look like a mess or something?”

“Or something.”

Khalani wanted to press him for his thoughts, but with her wild hair and sunken eyes, he probably thought she looked terrible.

“They still out there?” Khalani nodded toward the front door.