The Wisteria Accond

Chapter Eighteen

Ashen and I sit in the tight confines of my room, the weight of what's to come hanging heavy in the air. I'm going over the plan again in my head, every detail sharpened by the stakes. If anything goes wrong, it won't just be Ashen who pays the price—I'll be right there with him. My heart thrums with a mix of anxiety and determination, the urgency pulsing like a second heartbeat.

I glance over at Ashen. He's sitting on the floor, leaning back against the wall, his gaze distant but focused. His face is still bruised from Soren's interrogation, his cuts still healing. There's a storm brewing in his eyes—a mix of anger and something deeper, something that looks a lot like frustration. I can feel the tension between us; it's been there since last night when we were forced to hide in this room together, his body too close, his presence too consuming. I don't know what to do with this feeling, this inexplicable pull toward him.

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door, sharp and insistent. My heart leaps into my throat. Ashen's eyes snap to mine, darkening to a deep, simmering red—anger. We don't need words to communicate the danger. I motion for him to hide, and he moves quickly, silently, pressing himself into the narrow space behind the door, every muscle taut.

I swallow, taking a moment to steady myself, then crack the door open just enough to see Soren's face on the other side. My stomach twists. He's looking at me with that suspicious, narrowed gaze that I've come to loathe. He doesn't even try to hide the way his eyes sweep over me, assessing, searching for a crack in my armor.

"Kiera," he says, his voice clipped and edged with annoyance. "Where've you been?"

I force a casual smile, even though my skin prickles at the sight of him. "Around. Trying to stay out of trouble," I say, leaning casually against the doorframe. "You know how it is."

His eyes narrow further, clearly not buying it. "Funny," he says slowly, "I've asked around, and no one's seen you for a while. You wouldn't be hiding anything from me, would you?"

I feel a rush of irritation, but I bite it back. "What exactly would I be hiding, Soren?" I ask, letting a hint of exasperation seep into my tone. "It's been chaos since the escape. I've been trying to keep my head down, unlike some people."

He takes a step closer, his presence looming. "I don't like when you lie to me, Kiera," he murmurs, his voice dropping low, almost like a threat.

My skin crawls, but I keep my expression neutral, masking the disgust simmering beneath. "I'm not lying," I say, keeping my voice steady. "I've just been... busy. If you don't believe me, then that's on you."

For a moment, he just stares at me, his eyes piercing, and I have to resist the urge to slam the door in his face. But finally, he nods, stepping back. "Fine," he says, but there's a dangerous edge to his voice. "Just remember what I said. I don't like liars."

I manage a tight-lipped smile. "Got it."

He hesitates a moment longer, his eyes flicking over my shoulder, like he's trying to see around me, but then he turns and walks away, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

I wait until I'm sure he's gone before closing the door, exhaling a shaky breath. I turn around to find Ashen stepping out from his hiding spot, his expression hard, his jaw clenched. His eyes—still that dark, stormy red—lock onto mine.

"Safe to come out now," I say softly, but the air between us is anything but safe. It's charged, tense, like a tightly wound coil ready to snap. Ashen's gaze doesn't waver from mine, his frustration palpable, and I can feel his anger rolling off him in waves.

"You're still letting him get close to you," he says, his voice low and tightly controlled. "After everything."

"I'm not letting him do anything," I retort, my own frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm trying to keep us from getting caught. I'm trying to keep you from getting killed."

His eyes narrow, a flash of something dark and dangerous crossing his face. "And what if he does find out? What then? What's your plan, Kiera?"

The way he says my name—sharp and accusing—sends a jolt through me. I don't know if it's the fear or the tension or the way his eyes burn into mine, but I take a step closer, my heart thudding loudly in my chest. "I'm doing everything I can, Ashen," I whisper fiercely. "But if you have a better idea, I'd love to hear it."

For a moment, we just stand there, the room feeling too small, too hot. His eyes don't leave mine, and I can see the battle raging behind them—the anger, the fear, and something else, something that sets my nerves alight.

Then, in one swift motion, he steps forward, closing the distance between us. My breath catches in my throat as his hand lifts, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch is surprisingly gentle, but there's a tension to it, a restraint, like he's holding himself back.

"Don't risk yourself for me," he murmurs, his voice low, almost a growl. His eyes are still that deep, furious red, but there's a flicker of something else in them now, something softer.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm not risking myself," I whisper back, my voice barely audible. "I'm making sure we both survive."

His gaze holds mine, and for a second, it feels like the world narrows down to just the two of us, the space between us crackling with unspoken words, unacknowledged feelings. The pull between us is undeniable, but I can't—won't—let it distract me now.

"We need to move," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "If Soren's already suspicious, it's only a matter of time before he comes back."

Ashen's jaw tightens, and he gives a short nod. "Then let's go," he says, his voice rough.

Without another word, we move into action. I grab the small satchel I've prepared—the essentials we'll need for the escape—and sling it over my shoulder. Ashen is at my side, his eyes scanning the room one last time before we slip out the door, stepping into the dimly lit hallway.

I lead the way, moving quickly but carefully. We keep to the shadows, every step calculated. My heart is hammering in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. This is it. No turning back now.

We make our way toward the eastern exit, where Clara and Dana are supposed to create a distraction. The halls are eerily quiet, and every creak of the floorboards beneath our feet sounds like a gunshot in the silence.

"Stay close," I whisper, glancing back at Ashen. He nods, his eyes still burning with that intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. I can feel him behind me, his presence a steady, grounding force.

As we round the corner, I hear the distant sound of voices, then a commotion—a shout, the clatter of armor. My heart leaps. The distraction. It's started.

"This way," I murmur, quickening my pace. The guards are moving toward the noise, leaving the east side exposed, just as we planned.

We slip through the shadows, the exit just ahead. I can almost taste the freedom, the cold night air that awaits us beyond these walls. But just as we near the door, a figure steps into our path, blocking our way.

My blood runs cold as I see who it is.

Soren.