Alyssa."
The voice came from the other side of the door.
Aaron's voice.
My breath caught instantly, relief and panic colliding so hard it made me dizzy.
"It's Aaron," he said gently. "The gatekeeper led me here."
For one brief second, my body relaxed on instinct. Aaron meant calm. Aaron meant safety. Aaron meant the promise of something clean and uncomplicated.
Then reality crashed back in.
I was very aware of everything—my bare skin, the heat still clinging to me, the unmistakable presence behind me.
"Can I come in?" Aaron asked.
Of course you can't come in, I thought wildly. Not like this. Not now.
"Give me a minute!" I shouted, louder than I meant to.
Silence followed. Polite. Patient.
I turned slowly.
Victor stood near the bathroom doorway, water already running in the shower behind him. His expression was dark and unreadable, his jaw was tight, his eyes sharp, watching me like I might disappear if he looked away.
Fury simmered just beneath his calm.
