The three of them... Viktor, Vera, and Vale... immediately rushed to Lila before she could break down or start crying. The kitchen floor was now a mess of shattered glass and spilt water. Viktor got there first, kneeling down in front of her with surprising gentleness for a man his size. His face softened, concern etching lines around his eyes as he placed his hands on her small shoulders. "Lila, hey... look at me. Elias isn't going to die. Okay? No one's hurting him. You don't need to cry."
Lila frowned, her lower lip trembling for a second before she folded her arms across her chest, trying to look tough. Her eyes were wide and shiny, but she blinked hard, refusing to let tears fall.
"Why are you telling me not to cry? I'm eleven... I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle adult stuff."
