The Regions Of Hell

Gunfire tore through the night, echoing across the docks. The cold air was thick with the scent of salt, metal, and danger. Selene hit the ground hard, rolling behind a stack of wooden crates as bullets splintered the wood beside her.  Her ears rang from the explosion of sound, but she didn't pause. She couldn't afford to. Somewhere to her left, Axel was moving, his bound hands making it difficult to stay low. His face was smeared with blood, his breath coming in sharp gasps, but he was still alive. That was all that mattered. Aurora's voice cut through the chaos. 'Selene!" Selene turned sharply, spotting her hidden behind a rusted cargo container. Her golden eyes were wide, her fingers clenched around the small pistol Damian had given her earlier. Selene didn't hesitate. 'Stay down!" Aurora's jaw tightened, but she obeyed. Selene exhaled, scanning the darkness. They were surrounded. The man who had orchestrated this—the one who had taken Axel—was gone, disappearing the moment the first shot was fired. Coward. Damian's voice crackled through her earpiece. 'I count six of them. No, seven. Are you sure you don't need backup?" Selene smirked, even as she slid a fresh magazine into her gun. 'Stay in position." Damian sighed. 'You and your damn pride." Selene peeked around the crates, her sharp gaze locking onto the nearest shooter. He was moving fast, his gun raised, but his stance was sloppy. One shot. Selene didn't blink. She fired. The man dropped. Aurora gasped from her hiding spot. Selene turned to her. 'Go to Axel. Get him out of here." Aurora's lips parted. 'But—" Selene's voice was firm. 'Now." Aurora hesitated for only a second before nodding. She moved quickly, ducking low as she ran toward Axel, her breath sharp. Selene turned back toward the fight. Five left. A shadow moved to her right. She shifted, raising her gun just as another attacker lunged. Selene twisted, dodging the first strike. Too slow.The second punch caught her ribs, knocking the air from her lungs. She gritted her teeth, used the momentum. She dropped low, kicked out, and sent the attacker sprawling onto the ground. Then she fired. The man went still. Damian's voice returned. 'Four left. You're welcome." Selene exhaled sharply. 'Next time, give me a warning." She scanned the docks. Four left. Four bullets. Aurora was still moving, dragging Axel toward the back of the pier. He was hurt, but he was fighting. Good. Selene focused. She had to end this. A gun cocked behind her but she turned too late. A sharp blow slammed into her shoulder, sending her crashing against the crates. Her vision blurred for a split second, pain flaring through her arm. Then a voice. Deep. Amused. Familiar. 'I have to admit," the man drawled. 'You put up a hell of a fight." Selene forced her head up, her pulse steadying. It was him. The man who had taken Axel. The man behind this. He stepped closer, his dark suit barely wrinkled despite the chaos. He held a gun, the barrel aimed lazily at her chest. Selene exhaled. 'And you're still hiding behind a weapon." The man smirked. 'I prefer efficiency." Selene's jaw clenched. She needed to move. The man tilted his head. 'Tell me, Selene. Was it worth it?" Selene's eyes flickered toward Aurora and Axel. They were almost to the car. She turned back, smirking. 'I think so." The man's eyes narrowed. 'You should've walked away." Selene's voice was smooth. 'You don't know me very well, do you?" Then she moved. She twisted, slamming her arm into the man's wrist. The gun fired—a miss. Selene grabbed his collar, yanked him forward. The momentum sent them both crashing to the ground. The gun skidded away. Selene straddled him, her own gun pressing against his ribs. Her breath was uneven, but her hands were steady. The man chuckled. 'You won't shoot." Selene's finger tightened on the trigger. 'Try me." His smirk didn't falter. 'Killing me won't end this." Selene exhaled sharply. He wasn't wrong. She stood, keeping the gun aimed at him. 'Tell me who you work for." The man smiled. 'You already know." Selene's heart slowed. Victor. She didn't blink. 'Then give him a message." The man smirked. 'I'm listening." Selene's voice was lethal. 'Tell him I'm coming." The man's smirk widened. 'He'll be waiting." Selene stepped back, then fired. The bullet hit his leg—not fatal. Just enough to leave a mark. The man groaned, clutching his wound as Selene turned. Aurora and Axel were already in the car, waiting. Selene didn't hesitate. She ran. She slid into the car beside them, breath uneven but mind sharp. Axel groaned. 'I swear, I'm never letting you plan another rescue mission." Selene smirked. 'You're welcome." Aurora exhaled, gripping her hand. 'Are you okay?" Selene squeezed her fingers once. 'I'm fine." Aurora's golden eyes didn't believe her. Selene turned toward the road. 'Let's go." The car sped away. But Selene wasn't looking back. She was looking ahead. At Victor Sinclair. At the war that had just begun. At the revenge she was about to take and this time—she wouldn't stop until it was finished.