For several long seconds, no one moved.
The hallway, moments ago filled with panicked footsteps and frightened voices, fell into an eerie silence. Every pair of eyes was fixed on the horrifying scene before them.
Aria lay on the marble floor, trembling violently as she struggled to draw a full breath. Red marks were already blooming across the delicate skin of her neck.
Hovering above her was Elena.
Her hands were still raised instinctively, as though she herself didn't understand how they had ended up there.
Dominic reached them first.
His composure shattered.
He seized Elena's wrist with a force that made several nearby members flinch and pulled her away from Aria before dropping to one knee beside his sub.
"Aria."
His voice was low but urgent.
He gently cupped her face.
"Look
