For one terrifying second, Aiden genuinely thought Noah had died.
The explosion had swallowed the entire center loading zone in flames. Heat blasted across the yard violently enough to sting exposed skin while thick smoke rolled through the rain-covered darkness.
Then Noah walked out of it.
Alive.
Fire burned behind him, illuminating his figure through the smoke like something unreal. Rain soaked through his black clothes while orange flames reflected sharply in his eyes. One sleeve was torn further now, dirt and blood streaked across his arms, but he kept moving forward without hesitation.
Aiden's heart slammed painfully against his ribs.
"Holy shit…"
Vinny stared too. "He looks terrifying."
"He always looks terrifying," Aiden muttered automatically.
But this was different.
This looked like Noah had crawled straight out of hell itself.
