Chapter 76

Elena’ POV Something whizzed past my head so fast I barely had time to react. A sharp crash followed as it slammed into the flower vase on the table behind me. The vase exploded into a cloud of glittering shards, spraying across the floor. I didn’t even think, I just lunged forward, colliding with Eric as we tumbled to the ground. The impact knocked the air out of me, but instinct made me twist around to shield him. “Ahh!” A scream tore through the air. Bella. I caught sight of her, frozen in shock, her hands clutching at her face. My heart skipped a beat, but I couldn’t focus on her. Not yet. I shifted, pushing myself slightly off Eric to check him. “Eric… you’re okay?” I asked, my voice tight with worry. “Stay… behind me,” he rasped, barely audible. There was something in his tone; a strain or a weakness that made my stomach drop. I lifted my head and looked at his face. The color was all wrong. He was pale. And blood was trickling from his nose, thin and bright against his skin. My