The night air was thick with tension. Ava barely breathed as the man took another step forward, his shadow stretching beneath the glare of the headlights.
Noah didn't move, his body rigid like a shield in front of her. Jasper's fingers twitched near his pocket, ready for anything.
The stranger let out a low chuckle. "Relax," he said, his voice smooth, deliberate. "I'm not here to cause trouble."
Noah's eyes darkened. "Then what are you here for?"
The man tilted his head, studying them with unnerving calm. Then, his gaze landed on the letter clutched in Ava's hands.
"That," he said simply.
Ava's grip tightened.
Jasper stepped forward. "And who the hell are you?"
The man's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Elias." He looked back at Noah. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"
Ava's pulse spiked.
Noah's expression was unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes. Recognition.
Ava's stomach twisted. He knows him.
Jasper caught it too. "Noah." His tone was sharp. Demanding. "You know this guy?"
Noah inhaled slowly, controlled. "I know of him."
Elias smirked. "That's an understatement." He turned his attention to Ava. "You're holding something dangerous, you know that?"
Ava swallowed, feeling the weight of the letter like a ticking bomb in her hands.
Noah's voice was like steel. "She doesn't need your warnings."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "Then maybe she needs the truth." His gaze flickered to Ava. "Because I can guarantee you—he's not telling you all of it."
Ava's breath caught.
Noah took a step forward, his jaw tightening. "Back off."
Elias exhaled, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Relax, I'm not here to fight." He turned his attention back to Ava. "But you should read that letter. Before you decide who to trust."
Ava's fingers curled around the paper. The words felt heavy. Decide who to trust.
Jasper's patience snapped. "Enough with the cryptic bullshit. What do you actually want?"
Elias's smirk faded. He glanced between them, his expression unreadable.
Then, finally—
"To make sure Dorian Hale's death doesn't happen again."
Silence.
Ava's heartbeat slammed against her ribs.
Jasper stiffened beside her. "What the hell does that mean?"
Elias met Noah's gaze, something sharp and knowing passing between them.
Then he turned on his heel, walking back toward his car.
Before stepping in, he glanced over his shoulder.
"Watch your back, Ava."
The door slammed shut. The engine roared to life.
And then he was gone.
Leaving nothing behind but questions.
And a name that refused to let go.
Dorian Hale.