Chapter 77: Bottles and Blood

Ella’s

I froze mid-swing, my arm pulled back in preparation for the final strike. The air instantly thickened and buzzed with the chaotic mix of light, sound, and sudden violence. Jasper's hand clamped around my wrist with the unyielding strength of steel, his grip crushing the delicate bones. Before I could even twist free or process the interruption, his open palm cracked viciously across my face.

The sound rang out—sharp, clean, and terrifyingly ...