47 : The Gem

VERENA

Before the guns can be fired, Elijah disarms them and knocks them to the ground. He weaves through the attackers like a winter wind, his movements a blur of white. He deflects a blow from one with a flick of his wrist, using the attacker’s own force to send him sprawling.

As the men crumble under his powerful attacks, Elijah stands straight, the moonlight highlighting his muscular frame. A frustrated groan escapes my lips as I watch. Why him?

“Rena, are you hurt?” his deep voice cuts through the chaos.

"No need to worry about me," I scoff, beating the two men holding my arms captive unconscious with one attack. It irritates me to know that he's the one to save me. He didn't need to jump in. I could have handled it. I did it for so long, without him.

But the words die in my throat as his gaze meets mine. It's that look he has, the one that sends shivers down my spine. Calm, composed on the surface, but with an underlying intensity that speaks volumes of his anger. This isn't