Elena's POV
Julian didn't say anything for a moment. He just stood there, watching me like he was trying to figure out how much of me had broken—and how much had turned to steel.
Then he stepped forward and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Just promise me one thing."
I looked up at him.
"If he tries anything—anything—you tell me. Immediately."
"I will."
He nodded, though the tension in his jaw didn't ease. "Anna's already digging into Amira's movements. If Damian gets close enough, we'll have a better shot at catching her off guard."
"She thinks she's untouchable," I said. "That's why she's gotten this bold."
"She was untouchable," Julian murmured. "But she just made a mistake."
"What?"
"She underestimated you."
I blinked. A lump rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. "We still don't have proof."
"Yet," he said. "We will."
My phone buzzed. A message from Damian:
Can we talk? Alone. Please. Just give me ten minutes.
I showed it to Julian.
