Chapter 193

"Help—" The word barely made it out, more like a reflex than an actual cry. Fear surged from deep within Maria’s chest, primal and raw. She couldn’t even tell if she'd really spoken or just heard it inside her mind. Before she could blink again, Rachel Collins was already in front of her, the blade in her hand gleaming coldly in the moonlight. Instinctively, Maria shut her eyes. Everything went dead silent. It felt like time had frozen, the noise around her sucked away. She stood in a blank white haze, like her consciousness had slipped out of her body. Then, out of nowhere, a dark figure stepped between her and the light, blocking the flash of the knife. A familiar scent hit her—cologne she knew by heart. Before she could process it, a muffled grunt broke the quiet. Blood dripped from James’s arm—shockingly red under the pale light. He didn’t even glance at the wound, just threw his uninjured arm protectively across Maria's front. Seeing her attack fail, Rachel didn't hesitate. While