The Predator's Warning

Elara's POV:

As soon as the heavy thud of the stairwell door signaled Elias's final exit from the floor, the oppressive silence rushed back into the dim hallway. Kaelen’s arm finally loosened, dropping the iron grip he had locked around my waist. He stepped back, taking his stifling, scorching heat with him, but the damage was already done. The narrow space between us crackled with the lingering