Midnight Code

The silence after the shot was deafening.

Aziel’s grip on Laila’s wrist was tight—too tight—as they ducked behind a crumbling wall. He didn’t trust Zayn, but right now, he was the lesser threat.

Laila’s breath was uneven. She had hacked into some of the most secure systems in the world, but now she was the target.

Aziel’s voice was low, sharp. "Who the hell are these people?"

Zayn’s smirk didn’t waver—even with a sniper’s laser dot still hovering over his chest.

"Wouldn’t you like to know?"

Aziel cursed under his breath. He hated people like this. Men who spoke in riddles. Men who played both sides.

But right now? He had no choice but to move.

The moment Aziel glanced around the corner—BANG.

A bullet narrowly missed his head.

Laila flinched. "We need to move—now!"

Aziel grabbed the small dagger hidden in his belt and flung it without hesitation.

SILENCE.

Then—a heavy thud.

One down.

But the sniper wasn’t alone.

Zayn clicked his tongue. "Nice throw. But you do realize—"

BOOM.

A grenade exploded behind them.

Laila stumbled, coughing through the dust as Aziel grabbed her waist, pulling her against him. His heartbeat was steady. Hers? A mess.

"Stay close," he ordered. "And don't—"

Zayn’s laughter cut through the chaos. "Ohhh, they’re not playing around tonight. This is going to be fun."

Aziel’s patience snapped. "Shut up and run!"

But before they could escape—

A voice echoed through the comms.

Distorted. Cold. Familiar.

"Laila, Laila, Laila… Did you really think we wouldn’t find you?"

Her blood ran cold.

Aziel saw it. He felt her tense against him.

This wasn’t just a hacker.

This was personal.