Sealed Heart

The tension in the air was suffocating, pressing down on Selene's chest like a weight designed to crush her. Lucian wasn't just testing her anymore, he was forcing her into a decision that would change everything. Inside the glass-walled room, Eve stood with her hands bound in front of her, her posture stiff but unyielding. She had already taken two hits, her cheek swelling from the impact, but her gaze remained steady, locked onto Selene with a silent message; don't break. Selene clenched her jaw, her nails digging into her palms. She could feel Lucian's gaze on her, studying every twitch, every flicker of emotion that threatened to escape. This was his game, pushing her until she surrendered, until she accepted that she was powerless but he was about to find out just how wrong he was. Lucian sighed, tilting his head. 'I don't enjoy this, Selene." His voice was smooth, and effortless, as if he were discussing business instead of orchestrating a brutal display of control. 'But you continue to force my hand." Selene forced herself to breathe evenly. 'That's where you're wrong," she murmured. 'You've always been like this. I just finally stopped pretending otherwise." Lucian chuckled, but there was no humor in it. 'So defiant," he mused. 'But tell me, Selene, at what cost?"He turned his head slightly, giving a small nod. One of the men inside the glass room grabbed Eve's hair, jerking her head back. Selene's vision went white with rage. Eve gritted her teeth, refusing to react but the sharp breath she took didn't go unnoticed. Lucian exhaled slowly. 'You know how this ends, don't you?" He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a near whisper. 'You can fight me all you want but she…" His gaze flickered toward Eve. 'She's running out of time." Selene swallowed against the fury burning her throat. Lucian studied her, waiting. 'One word, Selene. That's all it takes." Selene's hands curled into fists. The walls were closing in, the trap tightening, but she wasn't trapped then she exhaled sharply and moved fast. Before the guards beside her could react, she twisted, slamming her elbow into the nearest one's throat. The second she felt the impact, she spun toward the second man, driving her knee into his ribs before he could grab her. Lucian's expression barely flickered, but the amusement in his gaze sharpened. The guards stumbled, regaining themselves quickly but Selene didn't hesitate. She bolted toward the glass-walled room. Lucian's voice was smooth, almost amused. 'Stop her." The door was just ahead, but hands grabbed her from behind. Selene twisted, throwing her weight against them, but there were too many, then a sharp blow to her side sent her staggering, her vision blurring for half a second before she caught herself. Eve struggled inside the glass room, her muffled voice shouting something Selene couldn't hear. Lucian exhaled, shaking his head as if disappointed. 'You always have to make things difficult." Selene's breaths came hard and fast, her body tensing for another fight, but before she could move, something cold pressed against the side of her neck; a needle. Selene's heart slammed against her ribs as fire spread through her veins, her vision tilted and the world blurring at the edges. She tried to fight it, tried to push against the weight that suddenly made her limbs feel like lead, but her muscles wouldn't respond. Lucian's voice was the last thing she heard before everything went black. 'I warned you." Selene woke up in darkness. Her breath came in sharp bursts as she forced her body to move but the second she tried to sit up, she realized the restraints. Her wrists were bound. The room was unfamiliar, smaller, and colder, the walls were dark and the only light coming was from a single source overhead, casting long shadows that flickered eerily across the walls. She wasn't in her room anymore and could hear footsteps, slow and controlled then the door opened. Lucian stepped inside, his expression unreadable but the patience in his eyes was gone. Selene exhaled through her nose, forcing herself to meet his gaze without flinching. 'I take it you didn't appreciate my attempt to leave?" Lucian's smirk was slow, deliberate. 'I appreciate your effort, Selene." He took a step closer, his presence filling the room. 'But I appreciate obedience more." Selene didn't blink. 'Then you're going to be very disappointed." Lucian sighed as if genuinely regretting the situation. 'You always make things harder than they need to be."Selene pulled against the restraints, testing them but it was too tight. Lucian's gaze followed the movement, his smirk deepening. 'I had hoped to handle this differently." He stepped forward, tilting his head. 'But you left me no choice." Selene inhaled slowly. 'I'm still not afraid of you." Lucian leaned down slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. 'You will be." Selene's stomach twisted, but she forced herself to stay still and remain unreadable because whatever he thought was coming next, he wouldn't win. Lucian straightened, turning toward the door. 'I suggest you start thinking very carefully, Selene," he murmured. 'Because after tonight, there won't be any second chances." The door clicked shut behind him. Selene exhaled sharply, her mind already working through the next move. Lucian thought he had her but he was wrong.