Chapter 229 Chapter 229 Noelle was still sound asleep .
Elsie Lay beside her , wide awake , eyes open and fixed on the ceiling .
In the faint silver of the moonlight , her usually innocent , sky blue eyes gleamed with a distant , glacial sharpness gone was the doe eyed confusions , replaced by something cold , mimb , and deadly , like someone who had seen too much bloodshed .
Without a sound , she slowly pushed herself up , then turned to glance at the sleeping Noelle .
There was no warmth in her gaze n attachment only a chill that pierced the air like frostbite .
no trace of As if confirming a target .
Elsie shifted her weight , inching closer to Noelle with movements so careful even her breath was fighly controlled .
Finally , she straddled Noelles body not touching , not yet just hovering there , face to fare , the distance between the barely a breath .
Her hand lifted slowly , fingers straight , palm curved inward a textbook knifeisand strike .
Lethal Precise , The moment Elsies hand began its descent , something deep in Noelles instincts jolted her awake .
Her eyes flew open , immediately locking onto the dark silhouette above her .
Elsie ! she gasped , her voice sh sharp in the silence Her body froze mid strike , and within a second , the murderous intent in her gaze vanished .
Her eyes fluttered shur , and she collapsed, limp , falling rectly on top of Noelle , completely motionless .
Noelle blinked , stunned . What the hell just happened ? Why was Elsie on top of her ? And why had she suddenly collapsed the second her name was called ? Was she faking it Sleepwalking Or ... something else ? The intent to kill Noelle had felt it as clearly as if a blade had been pressed to her throat .
But it had lasted only seconds , then dissipated as if it had never existed Was she really trying to hurt me ? Noelles head spun with questions , none of them with clear answers .
The timing couldnt be worse either- Brandons voice echoed in her mind , reminding her of what he said earlier , If Elsie turns on you , eliminate her immediately .
Was this what he meant ? She hesitated , then gently lifted Elsie off her and laid her back on the bed .
Lightly , she patted the girls cheek .
Elsie ... hey , wake u up * To her surprise .
Elsies eyes fluttered open again almost immediately .
She looked around sleepily , rubbing her eyes like a child who had been disturbed mid dream .
Ee ... ya ? Noelle stared at her confused .
Este blinked at her with those same wide , soft eyes .
Completely innocent .
Completely blank Noelle leaned in closer , studying her face for any sign of aggression .
But all she saw was bewilderment Elsie stared back , thing her head like a puppy , blinking curiously This didnt make sense .
That girl from moments ago the one brimming with killing intent was completely gone .
Had Noelle imagined it ! No ... shed felt the danger .
It had been real Without warning , Noelle narrowed her eyes and raised her hand in a swift knifehand strike mirroring the exact move Ehie had made earlier .
Her palm sopped just a millimeter from Elsies neck .
But Elur didnt inch .
Didnt move .
No defensive reflexes , no s , no fight or flight response .
Just a wide eyed , innocent stare .
Noelle slowly lowered her hand .
Elsie , she asked quietly , why didnt you dodger Elvie didnt answer just shook her head slightly , her expression soft and childlike .
Then , without warning , she snuggled close and wrapped her arms around Noelle again It was like being hugged by a harmless , affectionate kitten Î Î Noelle intinctively pulled her head , but her mind was far from at ease .
This was the same sweet Elsie shed net but the killing aura earlier had been real Was she sleepwalking ? Or something else ?
Noelle wracked her brain but came up with nothing .
She didnt have enough information .
Too many variables .
No clear pattern 1/2 Chapter 2:20 annually , she sighed and dropped the idea of overthinking it for now .
She wasnt going to harm Elde . Not yet .
Yes , Brandon had said to eliminate her if she became a threat , but right now Elsie wasnt acting hostile .
And besides , Aduel clearly liked her .
If anything happened to Elsie on Noelles watch , it would destroy the fragile must shard worked so hard to build And I without that trust , her entire mission would fall apart .
Mission first , she reminded herself firmly .
Having made up her mind , she gently said .
Elsie , lets go back to sleep Elsie nodded , smiling as innocently as ever .
Ee ya The two of them lay back down , and Elsie curled up beside her , wrapping her arms around Noelle in a sleepy hug .
She fell back asleep almost immediately .
But while Elsie returned to dreamland .
Noelle remained wide awake .
Her eyes stayed open , body tense , mind alery What if she gets up agam ? The fear kept her still , quiet , and hyperaware .
But Else didnt sur agam .
She slept peacefully , never once moving , never once waking .
Eventually , even Noelle started to wonder if the entire Incident had just been ... a dream Ad-free membership subscription