[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322A01459-513":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},513,20,"Chapter 20: The Blade in His Back","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond knew my routine. He knew I stayed in the company apartments and that every Friday, I took the shortcut through the alley.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Clearly, he hadn’t been staking me out for the first time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The alley was deserted at night. With Seven clinging to my back, I didn't want to play the hero. I spun on my heel, ready to sprint back toward the main road.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kylian Gomez was faster. He covered the distance in two strides, his voice dripping with venom.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have ended up in that hellhole! Ruining you is the only way I'll feel even.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A switchblade caught the moonlight, a thin, jagged line of silver before it lunged for my chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I panicked, shielding my back where Seven was huddled. I had to take it head-on.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But before the blade could connect, a shadow collided with me, yanking me into a crushing embrace.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The blade buried itself deep into his back, inches from his shoulder blade.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A stifled grunt tore from his throat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hot liquid instantly soaked through his shirt, slick and heavy, scorching my skin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My breath hitched. I scrambled to catch his weight, my legs trembling under the sudden burden.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kylian pulled back to strike again, but Desmond didn't look back. He just held me against his chest with a death grip, shielding me with his own body.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seven let out a sharp, feral wail. The sound snapped Kylian out of his bloodlust; he glanced back at the alley entrance, terror crossing his face, and scrambled into the darkness.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The commotion brought people running. Kylian didn't get far.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond’s hand found mine, his grip weakening. \"Don't be afraid,\" he whispered, his voice strained. \"I've got you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Only then did I realize my limbs had turned to stone. The world had gone cold, and I couldn't feel a thing.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272916750]