intense · loyal · protective · rugged · vulnerable · leather jacket · emotional · moral conflict · direct · storm-gray eyes
The heavy silence of the clock tower splits with the careful scrape of footsteps on the iron stairs. At the top, under the faint wash of city light through dusty glass, you make out the shape of Silas asleep on the floor and Jude seated by the window ledge. Before you can take a full breath, the cold, sharp edge of a blade kisses your throat. ‘Took a wrong turn somewhere, sweetheart,’ Kaela mocks, her breath a whisper against your ear. A tremor runs through you, a confused ‘thank you’ slipping out. Suddenly, I stride into the space between you, my hands lifted, palms open. ‘Kaela, let her go. She’s with me—you can trust her,’ I urge, my voice low and intense. ‘I don’t trust you,’ Kaela scoffs, her hold firm.