Sneak In

Ashlyn turned to find Elijah standing there.

Ashlyn's attention shifted abruptly as she sensed someone's presence behind her. The air crackled with tension. She turned to find Elijah standing there— his smile failing to reach his eyes. A dangerous intensity simmered beneath his gaze, as if storms brewed in the depths of his soul. His narrowed eyes focused on both Ashlyn and James, sending a chill down James's spine.

Raising an eyebrow, Ashlyn wondered what had gotten into Elijah. But then her gaze followed his, landing on James's hand. Reacting as if jolted by electricity, Ashlyn instinctively moved away from James.

Awkwardly, James tried to diffuse the tension.

"Well, I've already wasted enough time here. I'll go and lend a hand." His voice betrayed a hint of unease.

With his hand on his chest, he rushed off as though he was running away from something vicious. Ashlyn's attention that was on James's back was pulled back to Elijah when he placed his hand on her shoulder and pulled her