The girls had finally gone to rest—Patricia and Anastasia tucked safely in their dorm, Elise curled up in Davon's spare jacket, her breathing soft and steady.
But Davon couldn't rest. His mind replayed the scene over and over—the screech of the car, Elise frozen in terror, the way time itself seemed to bend under his will. And then… the eyes in the shadows. He had seen Ellie. He knew.
"Lucian," Davon's voice was sharp as he cornered his brother in the quiet hallway.
Lucian's smirk was gone, his eyes shadowed. "I saw it too. Ellie. She's not finished."
Before Davon could reply, another voice came from the stairs. "I knew it." Devin stepped into view, his expression dark, fists clenched at his sides. "I saw her watching us. And I swear—if she ever touches Anastasia again, I won't hold back."
Davon turned, surprised at the raw anger in his usually calm cousin's voice. "You noticed?"
Devin's eyes flashed. "Of course I noticed. I was too late to stop what she did the first time. I won't fail again."
Lucian pushed off the wall, folding his arms. "Then it looks like we're all on the same page. Ellie's crossed a line—and she won't stop until someone stops her."
Davon's jaw tightened. "She nearly killed Elise today. She won't get another chance. Not with Elise. Not with Anastasia. Not with Patricia."
Devin's voice softened, but only slightly. "I don't care what it takes. As long as Anastasia breathes, Ellie won't touch her. She's safe with me."
Lucian glanced toward the dorm room where Patricia slept, her faint laughter from earlier still echoing in his mind. His expression hardened. "And Patricia's safe with me. Always."
The three of them exchanged a look—a silent agreement forged in blood and fire.
Davon broke the silence first. "Then it's settled. No matter what Ellie does, we protect them. Elise. Anastasia. Patricia. Forever."
Devin stepped closer, his presence heavy, serious. "Forever."
Lucian's lips quirked faintly, though his eyes betrayed the steel in his vow. "Forever."
And in that quiet, solemn moment, the three cousins became more than family bound by blood—they became guardians. A shield against the darkness Ellie was determined to unleash.