Selena arrived at Elias's shop after midnight. The street was quiet, the shop dark—except for a single light inside.
She pushed open the unlocked door and stepped in.
Elias was sitting behind the counter, staring at a violet in his hands. His expression was unreadable.
The moment he looked up and saw her, his face relaxed. "Oh. It's you."
Selena frowned. "You were expecting someone else?"
Elias sighed, placing the flower down. "I don't know. Maybe."
She studied him—his usual warmth was there, but something was different. He looked… tired.
She stepped closer. "Jax told me what happened."
Elias chuckled, though it lacked its usual lightheartedness. "So you do have spies on me."
Selena ignored that. "You're not hurt."
Elias nodded. "Not physically."
Silence hung between them. Then, softly, he asked:
"Who was he?"
Selena didn't answer immediately. Telling him meant pulling him deeper into her world. But not telling him…
He deserves to know.
"Someone trying to scare you," she finally said. "Trying to get you to stay away from me."
Elias studied her carefully. "And?"
Selena smirked. "And they're about to regret it."
Elias exhaled, shaking his head. "I figured."
She crossed her arms. "Are you scared?"
He should be. Most people would be. But Elias only looked at her with quiet thoughtfulness.
"No."
Selena narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"
Elias smiled. "Because I don't think you'd let anything happen to me."
Selena felt something tighten in her chest.
She took a slow step forward, stopping just inches away. "You trust me that much?"
Elias met her gaze, unwavering. "Yeah."
Selena studied him, searching for any sign of doubt. There was none.
She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "You're too trusting, Elias."
Elias smiled. "Maybe. Or maybe I just see something in you that you don't."
Selena inhaled sharply. What was this man doing to her?
She let her hand fall. "Stay inside tomorrow. Lock the doors. If anyone strange comes near, call Jax."
Elias frowned. "And you?"
Selena turned away. "I have unfinished business."
Somewhere in the city, Corvus sat in his luxurious penthouse, sipping expensive whiskey.
His men laughed around him, discussing their latest move against Lady Nyx.
Then—a single knock on the door.
Silence.
One of his guards frowned. "Expecting someone, boss?"
Corvus smirked. "No. But let's see who's stupid enough to—"
BOOM!
The door exploded, sending shards of wood and smoke everywhere.
Before the dust settled, Selena stepped in.
Her crimson eyes burned like embers, her black coat billowing behind her. She looked like death itself.
The laughter died.
Corvus barely had time to react before she was in front of him, slamming a dagger into the table.
"Touch him again," she said, voice deadly soft, "and I'll make sure you never see another sunrise."
Corvus swallowed. He had made a mistake.
And Lady Nyx never forgave mistakes.