Zayn’s body was trembling with rage, he growled low in his throat. But he didn’t strike her. He didn’t move.
Then, his grip loosened slowly.
Ezra collapsed onto the ground, coughing and choking. He rolled onto his side, clutching his throat, gasping for air like he’d been drowning.
Zayn's gaze had already moved, locked on Lily.
“Zayn,” he rasped, voice hoarse. “Stop…”
But Zayn didn’t hear him.
Lily stood frozen for half a second, naked and trembling. She backed away in quick, unsteady steps. Her heel bumped the wall, back pressed hard against the wall. She squinted her eyes closed, paralyzed in fear.
Zayn took a step forward.
Lily shook her head violently, panic flashing in her wide eyes. Her lips parted, but no sound came. Just a shallow breath, then another.
“Zayn,” Ezra said again, coughing as he tried to push himself upright. “You’ve got to snap out of it! She’s terrified.”
But Zayn didn’t look at him.
His gaze stayed fixed on Lily.
