Chapter 22: "Don't Let Them Leave"
Before the crowd could even process the horror, Julian broke from the frozen ranks. His tuxedo jacket flared behind him as he slid to his knees on the polished floor. The world narrowed to the fragile, broken girl bleeding on the marble.
"I'm here. Stay awake," he pleaded, his hands hovering, terrified to move her but desperate to offer comfort. He cradled the side of her face, his thumb brushing away a tear that mixed with the dust of the floor.
Elara’s eyes fluttered, glassy and unfocused with immense pain. Every breath was a jagged agony. She forced her vision to clear, locking onto Julian’s panicked, beautiful face. Through the overwhelming fog of shock, a singular, crystal-clear thought pierced her mind. She gripped his sleeve with the last ounce of her fading strength.
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"Don't... let them leave," she choked out, her voice barely a whisper, yet it carried the weight of absolute conviction.
Julian’s jaw tightened. He slowly looked up the long, grand staircase. Victoria and her accomplices were already backing away, whispering furiously into their phones, preparing to slip out through the servant's quarters. Julian’s gaze turned lethal. The anchor of comfort he provided Elara transformed instantly into a promise of utter ruin for those above.
