The gunshot cracked through the forest, like a thunder splitting the sky.
A murder of birds exploded from the snow-laden branches in a chaotic frenzy, their frantic, jagged cries piercing the frozen silence as a cloud of black wings scattered against the pale winter backdrop. The bullet screamed through the air, a high-pitched, metallic hiss slicing between falling snowflakes, aimed directly at Alicia's heart.
Adrien moved before she could even flinch.
He twisted, yanking her against his chest as his arm came up around her shoulders, shielding her completely with his own body.
A dull, wet thwack echoed tearing into the living tissue. His body jerked forth, dark blood burst across the pristine snow in a crimson spray. The metallic bullet buried itself deep into the side of his waist, the exact trajectory that should have torn through Alicia's chest.
