Leon's eyes sharpened the moment he saw her, Eleanor looked like hell. Her coat was torn, blood staining her sleeves and the side of her face, her breathing shallow and uneven as she stumbled forward.
"Eleanor… how are you here?" he asked, his voice low but edged with steel.
She took a shaky step toward him, reaching out slightly as if seeking comfort, or maybe just balance. But Leon didn't move. His gaze turned colder, his jaw clenched.
"Don't come any closer," he said, the warmth gone from his tone. "Answer the question first."
Eleanor froze mid-step.
"Leon… it's me—"
"Answer the question, Eleanor," he cut in, harsher now, there was no hesitation or softness.
A flicker of something crossed her face, shock, maybe, but only for a heartbeat. Inside, she was already recalibrating.
'His instincts are as sharp as always… but I counted on that.'
She lowered her eyes, voice trembling as she feigned weakness.
"It's Eden," she whispered. "He… he betrayed us."
That hit.
