The chaos followed me like a shadow as I stumbled into the lower floor. The sound of glass crunching under my shoes echoed through the empty corridors. Dust hung thick in the air, and shards from the collapsed chandelier sparkled like cruel little stars on the floor. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t move. I just walked, letting my legs carry me wherever they would.
By some small mercy, most of the gala guests had already fled. Only the staff, a few latecomers, and my frantic team remained, cleaning up and trying to restore some sense of order.
“Elena!” Bella’s voice cut through the haze. She was running toward me, her heels clattering over the wreckage. “Where’s my brother? What the hell happened?”
I shook my head weakly. “I… I don’t know. There was a fight… Eric and Magmus and then
