Elias’s POV

The masked figure came at me so fast the world blurred.

I didn’t even have time to scream before Ronan slammed into me, shoving me sideways behind the desk just as the figure’s hand sliced through the air where my throat had been a heartbeat earlier.

Metal met wood with a violent crack. Splinters exploded across my cheek.

Vale fired again; close range. The bullet hit the figure’s shoulder, jerking them back a fraction, but not stopping them. Not even slowing.

“What ...