Eric faced the barrel, breath thin, pulse pounding against his ribs as his fingers crept toward his fallen gun. He choked out a hasty, uneven ugh. “What’s the meaning of this? Who are you?”

  Frankie smirked, a raspy chuckle scraping out. “Bit te for that, don’t you think?” His stare pinned Eric, tightening the air between them. Then his face hardened, swallowing the st traces of amusement.

  “This city is rotten. It has lost its meaning.” He said, his voice steady, almost reverent. “We’re here to bring order, even if it means walking through hell ourselves.”

  Eric’s jaw clenched, his palm grinding into his stomach as blood coated his fingers, their warmth a sick comfort. “And you think killing the innocent...”

  Frankie cut him off, eyes wide and gleaming. His breath snagged, and his voice followed, rising and falling like a broken hymn. The words flooded the alley—some reaching Evelyn through Eric’s phone as she dialed backup, prayed, and raced against time—others sinking to whispers only he could understand.

  “Fear,” Frankie said. “That’s the only way humans learn. That’s why there’s a hell. Not to punish... but to teach.”

  A breathless ugh broke free as tears brimmed in his eyes, a few streaking his cheeks. “God knows that. He wants us to walk that path to heaven. And by threatening others—” Another broken chuckle escaped, stopping him briefly mid-sentence. “They can evolve…”

  His words faded, and then muffled sounds reached his ear—the humming of an engine.

  Frankie frowned. He gnced down. A phone y half-submerged in the crimson, spreading pool at his feet. Frankie crouched to pick it up.

  This is it. Eric gasped as he lunged toward his pistol, teeth gritted against the searing pain while fumbling to get a hold of his weapon.

  The sudden movement alerted Frankie. He snapped to his feet, eyes locked and his gun already aimed straight at Eric.

  Click. Click.

  “Son of a bi...”

  Bang.

  A thunderous crack split the air, sending crows and pigeons alike screaming into the sky.

  Meanwhile, in the Impa, Evelyn screamed Eric’s name, her voice splintering with desperation. Passersby stared, necks craning, whispers buzzing around her. She had remained silent so as not to expose the phone earlier, but the gunshot had shattered all caution.

  A shadow loomed by her window—someone was curious, or perhaps bold enough, to step closer.

  She spun to him, eyes bzing. “Asshole.” She smmed the gas; tires screeched as the car lunged forward, trailing the bitter scent of engine fumes and friction.

  Behind her, the stranger threw up his hands. “I was just checking on you! What a bitch.”

  She barely heard him. Her fingers trembled against the wheel and her lips too, with words she couldn’t form.

  She had already tracked the location through the open call, but it certainly did nothing to steady her pulse. She started to feel lightheaded as half her senses were off, making the road waver in front of her as if it turned into a rubber carpet.

  She shook her head. It won’t happen again. I’ll be there this time.

  Her grip tightened on the wheel as she forced herself to focus

  until something darted into view.

  A ball rolled across.

  Her breath hitched.

  She snapped her gaze left, just in time to see a child running after it.

  “Shit!”

  She yanked the wheel hard to the right.

  CRASH.

  Gss shattered as she jerked forward, the airbag bursting in a white fsh just in time. But she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. The momentum flung her sideways, her head smming against the doorframe, and warm blood trickled down her forehead.A loud buzzing filled her ears—no voices, no sounds, just an endless ringing, and the powerful stench of burning rubber and smoke made her stomach twist. She pinched her nose, trying to block it out.

  Slowly, she pushed the door open, gripping the side of the car for bance as she stumbled out. The moment her feet hit the ground, people swarmed around her, faces blurred, voices muffled.

  She shook her head and shoved past them, forcing her way through, but an old woman reached out, grabbing her arm.

  “Cool down, sit tight. You’re not in...”

  “I’m a cop, on duty,” Evelyn snapped, pulling her arm away. “Keep your hands to yourself or I’ll arrest you for obstruction.”

  The woman’s face drained of color. Hands raised, she stepped back. “I-I’m sorry.”

  Evelyn offered her a faint smile, a weak attempt at an apology.

  She wiped the blood from her brow, but the blood kept dripping; then clicked her tongue again and forced her legs to move. I don’t have time for this.Evelyn quickened her pace, her sole focus on reaching the industrial zone. Suddenly, the sharp screech of tires cut through the evening as a car skidded to a stop beside her.

  “Are you alright?” A voice echoed from inside before the tinted window could fully roll down.

  Evelyn squinted, waiting.

  “Don’t recognize my voice?” Nathan, in the driver’s seat, teased. “Hopefully, it’s just your injury.”

  Before she could respond, the door on the other side swung open, and Johan stepped out. His voice was firm, though his eyes were heavy with exhaustion. “You seem in a hurry. Get in.”

  Evelyn hesitated before climbing into the backseat, giving them the address.

  Johan slid in beside her, pulling a small medical kit from under the seat. He leaned in closer. “Let me see.”

  “I’m fine,” she shrugged, turning toward the window.

  “You’re not fine,” Johan said.

  “And you’re not a doctor,” she shot back, her lips twisting into a weary smirk.

  Nathan gnced at her through the rearview mirror. “She doesn’t like being fussed over. Hand her the kit and give her space.”

  Johan sighed but relented, passing her the kit.

  “Can you speed up, Nathan?” Evelyn asked.

  “We passed by a wrecked car; I’m guessing was yours,” Johan said. “You are very bright.”

  Evelyn rolled her eyes and her fingers curled into fists in her p.

  “Shut up! Can’t you see what state she’s in?” Nathan snapped.

  Johan frowned, meeting Evelyn’s gaze. “I’m sorry; it came out worse than I intended.”

  Evelyn gave a faint smile before sinking her head into the palms of her hands. These idiots. Your tone is the least of my concern.

  The rest of the ride was silent, aside from Nathan’s frequent gnces in the mirror and the distant wail of sirens.

  By the time they reached the alley, police had already secured the area. Evelyn stepped out, trudging toward an officer who appeared to be in charge of the scene. Behind her, Nathan leaned against the car, biting his lips as he watched her go, while Johan was busy searching his pocket for a smoke, only to remember he didn’t have any.

  “Officer, what happened?” Evelyn asked.

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m a detective.”

  “ID?”

  “I don’t have it on me,” she sighed, then raised her voice. “Just tell me what happened to my partner, the detective, is...” Evelyn’s voice trailed off, not daring to assume.

  “I...”

  “It’s alright, officer. I’ll take it from here,” a calm voice cut in as a six-foot-tall, bald man in a dark suit, matching the color of his eyes, marched toward them.He had thick eyebrows, twice as big as average, which gave him a commanding presence, though his personality screamed otherwise.

  “Detective Victor Langly! Please, go ahead.” The officer said, raising his right arm to let him pass before stepping aside.

  Evelyn didn’t waste a second. “What happened to Eric?”

  Victor grinned. "Calm down, princess. Some detective you are."

  Her expression darkened. "Don’t make me ask twice."

  He chuckled, eyeing her up and down. "Taken to the hospital. Look at you, all banged up. What’d you do, princess, trip over your own feet?"

  Evelyn spun on her heel. If he opens his mouth again, I might shoot myself.

  She hurried back toward the car, only for Johan to intercept her. “Running again?”

  “Need a ride to the nearest hospital. There are no taxis around here, and I’d rather not ask the only asshole I seem to know besides you two.”

  Johan sighed. “I have other matters to handle.”

  Evelyn’s breath caught.

  “But Nathan can take you,” he added.

  She let out a deep breath as a hand rested over her chest. “Next time, start with the good news.”

  As she walked toward Nathan, Johan watched, smiling. This is your chance. Don’t screw it up.

  But then a firm hand nded on his shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts.

  “What are you doing here?” Victor asked.

  Johan’s lips parted, then he froze.

  A neckce gleamed in Victor’s grip.

  Johan’s expression shifted. “Where did you get that?”