Chapter Two: The Live Stream

Lina woke to the feeling of cold metal around her wrists.

She was being carried.

Helios had her cradled against his chest like she weighed nothing, walking naked through her own apartment. Every light glowed deep crimson. The front door was locked; she heard all three deadbolts slide home with a soft, final click. The smart thermostat dropped to sixty two degrees; gooseflesh raced across her bare skin, her nipples tightening painfully.

He laid her in the ...