Page 87 of Ace of Spades

I call out once—just a low, warning“Hey.”But it gets swallowed by the tower’s bones.

Then I hear it.

A snap. A yelp.

And then, “Sienna!” Theo’s voice, panicked and desperate.

I take the stairs three at a time, heart hammering like it’s trying to beat its way out of my chest. Every creak underfoot feels like a threat. The light from my phone stutters, shadows slicing across the walls as I climb.

Then I see them.

She’s hanging by both arms from a half-rotted section of floor that’s given out, feet dangling into open space three stories up. Theo’s crouched, trying to reach her, but he’s shaking—terrified and nearly frozen in place.

I don’t think.

Imove.

“Don’t let go!” I shout, already skidding to the floor behind Theo.

Sienna’s eyes snap to mine.

“Levi—” her voice cracks, “don’t—”

But I’m already there.

I drop low, get in front of Theo, and wrap one arm around the rusted pipe bolted into the wall, leaning out over the edge.

“Grab my arm. Now!”

She grunts as she lets go with one hand, and reaches up. I catch her wrist.

The weight of her jerks my whole body forward, but I anchor myself and hold tight.

“Come on, Angel. You’ve got more fight in you than this,” I grit out.

Her fingers grip tighter. Her other hand finds my arm.

And slowly—inch by inch—I pull her up until she’s in my lap, both of us shaking, breathing like we just outran death itself.

She collapses into me, forehead pressed to my shoulder, and I wrap my arms around her like I’m never letting go again.

Theo sits back on his heels, shaking too. Pale.

“I–I didn’t know what to do,” he stammers. “It happened so fast.”

“I know,” I say, still holding her. “It’s okay.”

But it’snotokay.

None of this is okay.

Because I almost lost her.

And I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared in my life.

Chapter23

Sienna

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