25

TRISTAN'S POV

Ascending the stairs with urgency, my steps echoed, almost reaching the first floor. In the fiery blur, a fleeting figure descended; my heart raced, hoping for Willow. My disappointment deepened as Caden emerged. Descending to the inferno below, our eyes locked in a silent exchange amid the scorching flames, halting us both in an eerie standoff.

"Turn back, you're going to die," he grinned, a smug expression etched on his face. I pondered if that arrogance would wither away if he found himself engulfed in the flames he so callously dismissed.

"Move out of my way!" I shouted, determined to push forward, ignoring his taunts.

"Why should I? She's just an object," he hinted, referring to Willow. He knew she was up there but showed no inclination to help or persuade her to retreat. The tension heightened in the stairwell as our clash of wills unfolded.

"Everyone's just an object to you, isn't it? Easily discarded if deemed useless. Why call off the engagement while I was still