"Melody!"
Jay's bellow ripped the air like a shot, causing gasps from the audience. The world around me disintegrated as my body was slammed back, and before the darkness closed over my head, I squeezed one eye open—just enough to catch him in motion.
It was probably instinct. Samantha was still leaning against him, hanging like a vine. But at the moment, Jay didn't give it a thought. He shoved forward, and with his aggressive movement, Samantha lost her center of balance. Without her wall of support, she stumbled about, arms waving. But it was too late already—Jay's concentration was on me.
"Perse, are you alright?!" he cried out, his voice shaking as he engulfed me in his arms, holding me as if I were something delicate.
"I… I am not," I breathed softly, my voice reed-like and shatte
