The damp tunnel walls blurred past Kieran as he and Julian ran, the sound of pursuing guards growing louder behind them. His breath came in ragged bursts, his body sluggish from the lingering poison, but sheer determination kept him moving. Julian ran ahead, every step calculated, his gaze flicking between their surroundings and the path ahead.

“There’s a fork coming up,” Julian called back. “We take the left—trust me.”

Kieran didn’t argue. He had no choice but to follow.

The tunnel widened before splitting into two paths. Julian took a sharp turn left, and Kieran followed, his boots skidding slightly on the damp ground. The moment they turned, Julian grabbed Kieran’s wrist and yanked him against the rough stone wall. His other hand pressed firmly over Kieran’s mouth.

Kieran’s heart slammed against his ribs as he realized why.

Footsteps thundered past the entrance of the right tunnel. The guards.

They hadn’t seen them.

Julian didn’t let go, not until the sounds faded into the distance. Even then, his grip lingered, his breath warm against Kieran’s ear.

“Too close,” Julian whispered.

Kieran swallowed hard, acutely aware of the heat between them. Julian’s scent—leather and something faintly metallic—filled the narrow space. His fingers remained curled against Kieran’s wrist, the touch firm yet oddly grounding.

“We should keep moving,” Kieran muttered, voice quieter than intended.

Julian exhaled sharply and pulled away. “Yeah.”

They continued through the left tunnel, this time slower, more careful. The air grew heavier, the walls closing in. Kieran could feel the weight of the underground pressing down on them. Then Julian suddenly stopped.

“There’s a way out,” he murmured, pointing ahead.

Kieran followed his gaze. A rusted iron grate blocked an opening leading upwards, where a faint sliver of moonlight seeped in.

Julian tested the bars. “It’s loose. Help me.”

Together, they pried at the grate, their muscles straining. The metal groaned in protest before finally giving way with a sharp crack.

Julian gestured for Kieran to go first. “Can you climb?”

Kieran nodded, gripping the rough stone and hoisting himself up. His limbs screamed in protest, but he pushed through, dragging himself onto the damp grass above. Julian followed quickly after, landing beside him with ease.

They had escaped the tunnels. But the danger wasn’t over.

Kieran’s gaze darted across the darkened ruins surrounding them. The night air was crisp, but an ominous stillness lingered. Julian stepped closer, scanning their surroundings.

“We need to move before they realize we’re gone,” Julian said quietly.

Kieran nodded. But as they prepared to leave, a soft rustle in the shadows made them both freeze.

They weren’t alone.

To be continued...