Chapter 154
With those words, Hadrien walked straight inside.
Lyra lay quietly upon the crisp white hospital bed.
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Sedative coursed through her system, yet even in sleep, her brows stayed furrowed. Color had not returned to her face, as if she remained trapped within the terror she had endured.
The sight tugged at Hadrien. He stepped forward slowly and lifted a hand, gently smoothing the crease between her brows.
She twisted her head in her sleep, and he pulled his fingers back at once.
When her frown returned, Hadrien glanced around the room. He drew the blackout curtains shut and switched off the lights, striving to craft an undisturbed space for her rest.
Only then did he stretch his hand out again, brushing a fingertip lightly between her brows.
He hoped this quiet touch might chase away the unease haunting her dreams.
Perhaps warmed by the heat of his skin, Lyra’s tense brows relaxed at last.
Hadrien let out a quiet breath of relief.
He dared not shift an inch. He knelt beside the bed, simply watching her peaceful sleeping face.
Silence wrapped around them, and faint warmth traveled from his fingertips into his own body.
The fragile calm did not last long. A message arrived from security, updating him on the crisis inside Building Three.
Unwilling to wake Lyra, Hadrien stepped outside to deal with the alert.
Lyra stirred awake slowly. The first thing she saw was deep darkness.
Her body stiffened instantly.
The surroundings matched her nightmare far too closely.
In her dream, she had stood inside the cell block, staring into the monster’s hollow eyes– before being pulled into boundless, endless blackness.
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Chapter 155 Shadows of the Nightmare
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Florshed
No sound echoed there. She could not see her own hands. Stillness stretched in every direction.
She drifted weightlessly, unable to grasp anything solid, as if she had been exiled inside a vast, lifeless void of empty space.
Nothing waited for her but endless silence and bitter cold.
Panic and helplessness welled up inside her, and sharp, hostile snarls of beasts roared all around her.
That was when she jolted awake.
She opened her eyes to darkness once more.
For a heartbeat, she could not tell whether she still dreamed.
Click.
A faint sound cut through the quiet. Her gaze snapped toward the noise.
A shape seemed to draw closer through the shadows.
Fear washed over Lyra, and she instinctively tried to shuffle backward.
A familiar voice spoke then. “It’s me p>
Hadrien.
His voice was the only lifeline within the crushing dark.
Lyra’s lips trembled, and she leaned forward on impulse, reaching out toward him.
Hadrien strode quickly to her side and firmly grasped her outstretched hand.
His helmet featured an automatic night vision mode; he had seen the raw fear and helplessness etched across her face the moment he stepped inside.
Knowing how unsettled she felt, he rested one palm lightly on her shoulder, patting gently.
“You’re safe now. Everything is over p>
The black room offered no sense of security. Driven by raw instinct, Lyra pressed herself against the nearest source of warmth.
When her arms wrapped tight around his waist, Hadrien froze. His body tensed automatically.
A faint, tingling warmth seeped through his veins and settled deep in his bones, leaving his
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Chapter 155 Shadows of the Nightmare
limbs growing weak.
He said nothing of it, only continuing to murmur quiet comfort to her.
“I’m sorry I arrived too late. This will never happen again p>
Lyra shook her head.
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The sedative still lingered in her bloodstream, leaving her body feeling light and unmoored. Only holding onto Hadrien gave her a sense of reality.
Snap.
The lights flickered on abruptly. Blinding brightness made Lyra squeeze her eyes shut and turn her head away.
Hadrien lifted one hand to shield her face from the glare, then glanced over his shoulder.
The doctor stood there, staring blankly at the sight of Hadrien bending over and gently holding the girl.
A chill ran down the doctor’s spine as he caught the sharp gaze cutting toward him from behind the helmet visor.
“Uh–I came to make rounds… I won’t interrupt. Carry on p>
He spun to flee, but Hadrien’s low, rough voice halted him.
“Come back p>
The doctor’s feet skidded to a stop.
Hadrien patted Lyra’s shoulder softly. “Let him check you, all right p>
As he spoke, his hand remained raised before her eyes, letting her adjust gradually to the harsh light.
Lyra had already come back to herself.
She ducked her head, cheeks burning red as she pulled away from Hadrien’s embrace.
Hadrien slowly lowered his hand and gestured the doctor forward.
The doctor’s expression looked thoroughly odd, covered in goosebumps.
He had never heard Hadrien speak in such a gentle tone. It felt alien, as if some stranger had seized control of Hadrien’s body.
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Shaken by the unexpected sight, he still tended to his duties.
He ran through a full examination and listed every care instruction in meticulous detail.
Lyra dared not lift her eyes, nodding repeatedly like a pecking bird.
Hadrien mistook her embarrassment for lingering terror from the attack. His large hand settled naturally on her back, stroking soothingly.
He noticed her slight tremor and kept patting gently.
Before leaving, the doctor shot Hadrien a teasing look, ready to mock him.
Yet the Sentinel’s full attention rested solely on his Guide. He paid the doctor and his little gestures no mind whatsoever.
The doctor sighed inwardly.
Traitor.
“Would you like to lie back down p>
The doctor mouthed the words silently as he pulled the door shut.
Lyra still could not bring herself to meet anyone’s gaze and shook her head awkwardly.
Sitting upright felt easier; she avoided facing the awkwardness head–on.
Seeing her keep her head bowed, Hadrien brushed his fingers over the smooth hair atop her head.
“Are you still frightened p>
Lyra stiffened.
Truthfully, once light flooded the room, her fear had melted away like late winter snow.
She simply wanted to avoid meeting Hadrien’s eyes.
Receiving no reply, Hadrien knelt beside the hospital bed, studying her expression with quiet
concern.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.