The shadow lingered in the hallway, its presence almost unreal in the dim moonlight spilling through the tall windows. Elena’s heart pounded violently, but she refused to let panic take over. Every muscle in her body was tense, and every instinct screamed that this was a moment where one misstep could change everything.
Dante’s arm tightened around her waist, grounding her, anchoring her to reality. His eyes, dark and stormy, never left the figure. “Step closer,” he commanded in a low, steady voice. “Show yourself. Now.”
The shadow stepped forward, and the faint light revealed a man. His features were sharp, his posture rigid, and his eyes cold and calculating. Elena’s pulse quickened as recognition surged in Dante’s expression. A flicker of anger crossed his face before it was replaced
