Elena’s POV

I never expected Elder Scarlett to suddenly lunge at me.

The movement was too abrupt, too frenzied. Before I could react, her weight slammed into me, knocking me off balance. My heel slipped against the polished floor, and I fell hard.

Instinct took over. I stretched out my hand to break the fall—

And my palm landed squarely on the shattered shards of the teacup Elder Hayes had smashed earlier.

A sharp, searing pain tore through my nerves.

For a split second, my mind ...