"Whatever was between us is dead now, Cato. It ended the second Selene called my name. Let it go."
My heart pounds wildly at the dead look in her eyes as her words sink in and she turns to leave. Panic fills my chest as I watch her walk away from me for the first time in my life. This isn't the way it's supposed to end. No matter the circumstances, it doesn't end like this. We go down together or not at all. Her hand is already on the handle by the time I reach her, slamming the door shut and thrusting it violently out of her grasp.
"Look me in the eye and say that," I snarl in her ear.
For a charged minute she stands pinned in the space between me and the door. Even if it tears us both apart inside, there's no going back now. I know by the way she buries herself against my chest in the dark. I know by the way I can't sleep without her breath on my skin. I know by the tense line of her shoulders as she turns to face me slowly, still avoiding my eyes. Everything in me aches for her answer, suddenly afraid she's really going to say what I can't bear to hear.
Her façade is crumbling, the pain eeking through. I want more than anything to kiss her and make all of this disappear, but I barely breathe instead, searching for any light of hope.
"Say it" I hiss.
"I can't…" She whispers, her eyes finally rising to meet mine. Everything I feel – all my fear and hopelessness – reflects in her eyes and the impact is visceral. There is no way out. We both know it. I'm terrified to touch her – afraid I'll shatter into a million pieces, but do it anyway, my hands finding the loose hair on the sides of her face before lifting her to my level and kissing her hard. I feel her defenses crumble away, but I don't stop, pressing harder and harder until I know it hurts, but I don't care.