Between Bullets and Breath

Chapter 4: The Ambush

The night came too quiet. Too still.

Lucien felt it before it happened that heavy silence that always comes before violence. He stood by the balcony, eyes scanning the dark garden below. Rain had stopped, but the air smelled like metal and danger.

Downstairs, Elara sat in the library, reading. The firelight danced across her face,soft and calm. Rafael sat on the couch nearby, spinning his knife as usual, pretending to be bored.

“You ever relax?” He asked, glancing at Lucien by the door.

Lucien didn’t answer. He didn’t trust quiet nights.

Rafael smirked. “Didn’t think so.”

Before Lucien could respond, a shadow moved outside the window fast. Then glass shattered.

“Down” Lucien barked, grabbing Elara and pulling her to the floor. A bullet tore through the air where her head had been seconds before.

Rafael was already moving, flipping the table, dragging it over to cover. More gunshots followed, echoing through the mansion.

“Three shooters, maybe four” Lucien shouted, scanning the angles.

Rafael pulled his gun, teeth clenched. “I’ll take the back door.”

Lucien caught his arm. “No. They want her. You leave, she’s exposed.”

Rafael yanked free. “You handle strategy. I handle bullets.”

Before Lucien could stop him, Rafael kicked open the side door and disappeared into the dark.

“Elara, stay low,” Lucien ordered, crouching beside her. His voice stayed calm, even as the air is filled with noise and smoke. “Do not move until i say.”

She nodded, trembling slightly. “What about..”

“I’ll handle it.”

Lucien rose, gun ready, and fired through the window..one, two, three shots. A cry came from the garden. One down.

Outside, Rafael moved like fire fast, wild, unstoppable. He caught one of the attackers by surprise, slammed him against the wall,and pulled the trigger. The man dropped instantly.

“Two left.” Rafael yelled.

Lucien moved to cover him from inside.

Then the last attacker burst through the door behind Elara. She gasped, froze until Lucien turned, faster than thought. He fired once. The man hit the floor, gun slipping from his hand.

Silence. Then the sound of Rafael’s boots on the stairs.

He stepped back into the room, breathing hard, blood on the sleeve. “You’re welcome.”

Lucien lowered his weapon. “For what?”

Rafael shrugged. “For making it easier.”

Lucien took a step forward, eyes like ice. “You’re reckless.”

“And you’re heartless,” Rafael said. “Perfect team.”

Elara stood, voice cutting through their argument. “Stop.”

They both turned to her. She looked pale but steady, her gaze sharp. “You can fight later. Right now , I need to know who sent them.”

Lucien holstered his gun. “ We don’t really know who sent them, they are after you, that’s why we are protecting you. From now on, no one comes near you without our approval.”

Rafael chuckled bitterly. “Didn’t realize we were taking orders from him,” he said, nodding towards Lucien.

Lucien’s tone stayed calm. “You’re free to leave if you prefer not to follow.”

Rafael stepped closer, voice low. “Careful, Vale. You might start sounding like you care.”

Lucien’s eyes met his. “Maybe I just care about doing the job right.”

“Or maybe,” Rafael said, smirking, “you care about her.”

Lucien froze for just a second. It was small barely visible but Rafael saw it.

Elara looked between them, uneasy. “Please. Stop.”

Lucien turned away. “Get some rest. I’ll secure the area.”

Rafael laughed quietly. “Always running from the truth, huh?

Lucien stopped at the door but didn’t turn back. “And you never shut up long enough to face it.”

He walked out, leaving the room thick with silence.

Rafael leaned against the wall, wiping blood from his hand. He’s going to get himself killed one day,” he muttered.

Elara looked at him. “You both will, if you keep this up.”

He smiled faintly. “Maybe. But at least one of us will die looking good doing it.”

Despite herself, Elara almost smiled. You’re impossible.”

Rafael’s eyes softened just a little. “Yea. That’s what they all say.”