I packed my bag, my body aching from today's training session. The other ballerinas had already left but I stayed needing the peace and quiet to practice my steps. But really it was to think of Eli. I hadn't yet confronted him about his confession. Mostly because this week was busy and so was Eli. Between early morning yogas, preparing dinner for my son that he could easily heat up if ever I arrived home late, to packing Elysium's school lunch, driving him to school and then arriving early morning at the ballet company everyday, to warm up, wrap up before hours of rehearsals. I was spent.

But today was finally Friday night. Tomorrow, I will spend the weekend with Elysium. And Eli too. It was something I had demanded from the company after adopting Elysium. The weekend off. And I didn't regret it one bit. It gave me the opportunity to recharge and above all else spend time with people I loved. Taking a quick shower, I dressed back into casual comfy clothes. A pair of cargo jeans, a short pink ruffled top revealing my smooth skin coupled with slim white tennis shoes.

Grabbing my bag and car keys, I left the building but my entire demeanor stilled in the parking lot.

You know that feeling you get when you are being watched? That's exactly how I felt right now.

I looked around quietly, straining for a sound. Anything. The comforting pressure of the taser in my back pocket that Eli always made me carry and my self defense classes comforted me but the feeling in my gut didn't go away. It was too quiet. Where were the security guards?

I walked slowly towards my car, taking deep breaths. I was perhaps being paranoid. Everything was fine. And I certainly wouldn't call Eli. Or else he would make me go to work everyday with guards. They were already stationed 24/7 at my mansion. I didn't need them with me all the time. Being the only daughter of two wealthy authors meant growing up already surrounded by security all the time.

I valued the independence, freedom and peace I had built for myself and Elysium. As soon as I reached my car, I plugged in the key but my breath hitched. Through the tainted window of my car, I could see the outline of a hooded figure. A masked man. Half of his face hidden by a black surgical mask, strands of hair covering his forehead, some falling in his hazel eyes.

It was the Silver Strangler.

My entire demeanour stilled as we made eye contact. Moving as fast as possible, I turned around and jabbed my keys against his throat just as his hands closed around mine. Breath stuttering, I jabbed the keys harder but he only chuckled, voice muffled by the mask as he lifted me off the ground. The height difference between us, allowing him to do so easily.

"I can understand why Eli Castillo would love you. You're one feisty woman. Pity you die by my hands tonight. But that should serve as a lesson to him, don't you think?"The Silver Strangler asked, voice alight with malice. His hold tightened on my throat, effectively cutting my air supply.

I let my keys go instinctively and struggled against him. His eyes turned purely murderous and unhinged, filled with pure malice as he towered over me and blocked my windpipe. Amidst the pounding in my head, I scrambled for my last weapon. My taser. I flipped the safety off, and jammed the metal prongs hard into the side of his neck as much as possible.

The killer's eyes widened. Shoulders stiffening. Taking advantage of his momentary surprise, I held the trigger down as blue electricity roared. The massive voltage instantly locked his entire body. His grip shattered, his muscles seized completely, and he crashed heavily to the pavement, entirely paralyzed.

I gasped as I leaned against my car, breath stuttering while I tried to get my breathing back under control. Scrambling for my phone, I approached the Silver Strangler and quickly snatched his mask off with trembling fingers.

I needed to know his face. That mother fucker clearly had something against Eli. I didn't know why but he attacked me clearly because of my connection to Eli. And this was my one chance of finding who the Killer was and ensuring he was finally identified by the police before even fathoming the idea of hurting me or my family again.

Snapping a picture of his face, I quickly stepped back, keeping him in my line of sight as I grabbed my keys and got into my car. The piece of shit would soon recover from his paralysed muscles and I wasn't in the mood to become his next prey.

Driving away as fast as I could, I called Eli. After just the first ring, he picked up the call immediately picking up on my irregular breathing.

"Little Flame, what's wrong?"Eli asked with a soft concerned edge.

"The Silver Strangler just tried to kill me. I used my taser.. He's currently paralysed. I snapped a picture of him and left the building's parking lot" I said quickly, words tumbling over each other as I realised how close I came to death.

A string of Spanish curses echoed from Eli's side. "Did he hurt you? Are you in pain? Where are you right now?"

"I'm fine. He didn't hurt me too badly"I mumbled quickly checking the redness on my throat through the mirror.

"I was in the parking lot when he got to me. I'm going to the police station now. Can you go stay with Elysium right now?" I asked before accelerating.

"Little Flame. You can't go to the police."Eli responded, sounding as if he's now in his car.

"Why?"I asked, checking the rear view mirror occasionally.

"The police will take too much time to get to him. He's a Serial killer that's been on the prowl for ages now. By the time, the police will finally manage to get their hands on him even with the help of your picture, you and Elysium will already be in grave danger"Eli said, voice tight.

"Then what do you want me to do?"I asked, brows creasing.

"Go to Elysium. I'm coming over there. Then we'll talk. Don't disconnect the call and share your location with me. The paralysis caused by your taser won't hold him off for too long, lock all your car doors and check if anyone's following you"Eli said quickly.

I placed the phone on the seat next to me and shared my location with him before checking back into the rear view mirror but the road was empty. Sighing softly, I replied "The car doors are already locked and no one's following me"

"Good. Keep checking if you're being followed and keep the pocket knife in your glove compartment with you. Just in case." Eli said.

I nodded even if he couldn't see me and did what he asked. As I continued to drive as fast as I could, the killer's words came back to my mind. "Eli?"I asked quietly, confusion, fear along with the adrenaline coursing through my veins causing my breath to stutter once more.

"Yes?"Eli responded, sounding on edge. I heard him pull over and the relief that flooded through me at the knowledge that he reached my house soothed me. Elysium would be safe with him.

"The Killer said your name. That he could understand why Eli Castillo loved someone like me. The Killer targeted me because of our connection.. Isn't it? I wasn't wearing silver Eli. And we are not even the 7th yet. Why does the Killer know your name?"I asked quietly.

Silence greeted me. I stared at the caller ID for a few seconds. "Speak to me, Eli" I demanded.

"Once you're home, we will speak, love. I'm waiting for you outside your house. Elysium is in his room, fast asleep. Come home and I promise you, I'll tell you okay" Eli responded before ending the call just as I turned towards the mansion.

Entering through the open gates, I barely got out of the car before Eli had me in his arms, staring at me from head to toe. Assessing. Eyes flashing with a dark edge that promised violence the moment he saw the red marks on my throat.

"He hurt you. He's a dead man walking,"Eli growled in a deadly voice, making my eyes flicker with surprise and emotions. He's never looked this murderous before.

My entire demeanour changed even more when I noticed the gun clenched in his hand. Following my line of sight, Eli quietly tucked the gun out of sight but it didn't change anything.

Why did he have a gun? He's never had one before..

"Come on let's get you inside" Eli said, lifting me bridal style before I could even say anything.

As he walked with me in his arms towards the house, I couldn't help but gaze up at his pitch black eyes. They looked so wrathful. His jaw was tight. Muscles stiff. I had gotten so used to seeing his eyes soften with love whenever he stared at me and Elysium that this..

This felt like uncharted territory and I didn't know how to feel with this new side of him.