{ Mia }
I clenched my fists. "Ace… you're what?"
Ace's lips parted like he was about to speak, but then he shut them again, jaw tight.
Cole sighed. "Mia, maybe we should talk about this later—"
"No," I snapped. "You've been hiding things from me since the day I met you. Not anymore. What aren't you telling me?"
Ace ran a hand through his hair, looking anywhere but at me. The hesitation stretched so long it made my skin itch.
Before he could answer, the warehouse lights flickered.
My stomach dropped. Something was coming.
A loud crack echoed through the warehouse, like a gunshot.
Ace reacted instantly, pushing me behind him.
"What was that?" I gasped.
Cole's face darkened. He grabbed a small device from his pocket, his eyes scanning the screen. Then his jaw clenched.
"They found you."
My heart stopped. "How? I teleported away! No one was supposed to—"
"Maybe they couldn't follow your movement," Ace said, eyes scanning the warehouse, "but they can track the energy you left behind."
Another crack. This time, the metal doors rattled.
Ace turned to me, his expression deadly serious. "Mia, we don't have time to fight right now. We need to move fast."
I nodded absentmindedly, torn between my need for answers and the danger closing in.
" Mia I need you to hold my hand and focus!"
Ace gripped my hand tightly. "We'll get through this together... Now focus. Imagine a protective shield around the house."
I swallowed hard. "I— I don't know how."
"You do," he insisted. "Trust me."
I closed my eyes tightly, picturing energy swirling around us, a barrier strong enough to keep them out. But nothing happened.
Panic twisted my stomach. What if I can't do this?
Then Ace squeezed my hand, and warmth surged through me, like a spark catching fire.
I gasped as the energy burst outward, glowing bright and fierce. A mixture of purple and golden energy swirled around us.It wrapped around the warehouse in a shimmering force field, just as a deafening explosion hit outside.
" Good job cupcake... I'm proud of you." He gently ruffled my golden hair.
I quickly turned my head pouting. " Don't. Touch. Me." I sneered.
" C'mon cupcake. Please." He whispered.
I shook my head violently. " Not until you tell me the truth!"
A deafening crash shook the warehouse. The villain's tendrils coiled tighter, slamming against the shield like a predator toying with its prey.
" How!" Ace and I exclaimed in union.
The shadowy figure stepped forward, leisurely, almost savoring the moment.
" Oh... Sweetheart. When will you understand that you will never get away from me."
"Mia, now!" Ace's voice cut through my panic.
I couldn't breathe. My heart pounded against my ribs. The energy in my veins buzzed wildly, too much, too fast.
A tendril of darkness lashed out, wrapping around my ankle and yanking me off my feet.
Ace grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. "Cupcake, look at me." His grip was firm but not painful. "You can do this. Get us out of here!"
I squeezed my eyes shut, picturing somewhere safe. The warmth built up again, the pull in my gut stronger than before.
The pressure built inside me, hot and unbearable. If I lost control now, everything I had worked for would be gone.
Then, light exploded around us.
As the light faded, I heard the villain's voice, soft, amused. "See you soon, sweetheart."
And everything went black.