A moment later, a thunderous roar shook Jin Corp, a different sound than the explosives that had gone off. The ground rocked, and I closed the short distance between us. She grabbed my arm and we both dropped to our knees as the building heaved and shuddered. “The floors are collapsing above us,” Daiyu shouted.

I stood when the building stilled and pulled Daiyu to her feet.

“This way,” she said.

She stayed by my side now, as if afraid we’d lose each other somehow in the empty corridor. The dimmed golden lights flickered overhead, then cut out entirely, leaving only emergency lighting. Dust particles blasted out from the vents, carrying the scent of fire and electrical smoke. Tears streamed from my eyes, the smoke was so strong, and I coughed uncontrollably.

Daiyu pressed her fingers against my palm, and I let her guide me as gray tendrils began to fill the hall too fast, turning the air darker around us. We ran through the wide corridor, past the sleek gold sliding doors leading into the foyer. Another loud boom knocked us off our feet, and the entire building shook, as violent as an earthquake, followed by the sound of concrete collapsing. Another powerful thud, and we fell again; this time, Daiyu pulled me to my feet.

“We’re almost there,” she shouted, but in a moment of sudden silence, it sounded like a gunshot through the empty hallway.

Our world shuddered around us as we ran, and the smoke grew so thick, the air became almost opaque. I had taken off my shirt and pressed the fabric against my mouth and nose but knew it wouldn’t be too long before I gave in to smoke inhalation. The visibility was so poor, I nearly careened into someone. Both Daiyu and I shouted in surprise, but the other person uttered nothing. Catching a glimpse of platinum-blond hair, I choked out, “Iris?”

“Zhou!” she exclaimed when she realized it was me. “Thank gods, Arun couldn’t find you—”

“Daiyu got me,” I shouted over the noise. “She knows the way out.”

Iris gave a curt nod, her distrust of Daiyu clear in her dark eyes. “Zhou’s here. We’re headed out.” She was reporting to Lingyi.

We stumbled forward together. I was grasping Daiyu’s hand, and Iris gripped me by the shoulder so we wouldn’t lose each other. “Vic’s already out?” I asked.

Iris didn’t reply, and I stopped, thinking I hadn’t heard her in the commotion, but one look at her stricken face, and I knew. I jerked away from both girls. “We have to go back!”

I turned and lunged toward where we had come. The corridor was black with smoke and dust. A strong hand clenched my arm, stopping me. I charged forward; Iris might be strong, but I outweighed her.

“Zhou,” she screamed. “Stop. Zhou!” She broke into a fit of coughing.

Victor. No.