Was I dreaming? One moment I was laughing with the bar crew, and the next, the door exploded open. Elara was there. Her eyes didn't even look at the others; they were locked on me before darting to Max, who was still trying to stand up by my side.
In that second, the air changed. I instinctively covered my nose. I knew I couldn't actually smell her through the glass and the noise, but I felt her presence closer than ever. She moved faster than I could blink. She grabbed the back of Max's head and slammed it onto the table with a sickening thud.
Max's face twisted in pain. I knew Elara—if she hit her again, Max wouldn't just be bruised; she'd be in the hospital. I couldn't let that happen. Even though her presence felt as sharp and cold as a knife, I jumped up and grabbed her wrist.
