Chapter 42: One Shot
---The restaurant---
[A few minutes ago]
Sera was packing the last of the boxes, humming softly to drown her anxiety about James, Leo, and Lily. The quiet clatter of dishes was the only sound—until the main door exploded open, shattering the lock and her calm with it.
Her breath hitched. The scent of splintered wood filled the air. As she peeked from the kitchen, her blood turned to ice.
Zerek.
He stood at the entrance with three men, arrogance dripping from his smirk as his eyes scanned the room like a vulture over a carcass.
"She must be here somewhere," Zerek drawled, voice smooth yet venomous. "Bring her to me."
Sera's trembling hand darted for the kitchen knife. The glint caught Zerek's eye. His grin widened, cruel and amused.
Panic surged—she bolted, slamming the storage door shut, shoving crates and boxes against it with shaking hands. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
"J–James…" she whispered, tears stinging her eyes.
