Upon hearing her half-brother's words Suri's mind raced. From all that she had heard him say, Suri had understood that Paul wasn't trying to kill her; he wanted something more, something dangerous. Her gaze swept over the room once more, taking in the heavily armed guards surrounding him. This wasn't a mere kidnapping or assassination—they had planned something far more calculated.
But what?
She knew she had to bide her time. And to do so, her first instinctive action had been to fight.
To stall for as much time as she could on her own, knowing that someone out there would definitely find something amiss.
The sound of boots echoed through the marble room as Paul's men advanced. Their dark armour gleamed under the chandeliers as they moved in unison, a predatory glint in their eyes as they surrounded Suri.
Dozens of them encircled her like wolves cornering their prey. Suri clenched her fists, narrowing her eyes, her muscles coiled and ready. She knew they would all come at once.
Then, in an instant, the first wave lunged at her.
Suri's body moved with precise, practiced speed. She ducked under the closest man's swing, her right fist driving into his ribcage with a sickening crunch.
The man let out a gurgled cry, but she was already spinning toward her next target, her left elbow crashing into another attacker's jaw. Blood sprayed as teeth shattered, but Suri barely registered it, her mind entirely focused on survival.
With every move, she made sure to strike down anyone who sprawled at her.
Leaping into the air, she arched her leg like a blade. The sharp crack of her foot connecting with a man's temple sent him sprawling. Before his body hit the ground, Suri had already landed in a crunch, pivoting to evade a knife that was aimed at her back.
SLAM!
Then came the others.
Three more superhumans joined the fray, their eyes glowing with unnatural light as they closed in on her. Suri braced herself, sweat dripping down her face. They moved as one, coordinated and relentless.
The first lunged at her, and Suri dodged, but the second was already in motion. His foot caught her in the side, a brutal kick that knocked the air out of her lungs. Pain exploded in her ribs, but she knew couldn't stop and forced herself to keep moving. She twisted away, throwing a punch at the third, but the first superhuman slammed his fist into her face before it could land.
Crack!
Her vision blurred for a moment as she staggered back, blood pouring from her nose. She wiped it away with the back of her hand, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
The superhumans were relentlessly attacking her without giving her time to recover or plan.
One of them landed a brutal punch to her torso, and Suri felt her breath escape in a painful wheeze. She stumbled, trying to regain her balance, but another kick to her side sent her sprawling to the ground.
Coughing while blood dripped from her mouth, Suri struggled to rise, but her body refused to cooperate. Her muscles screamed in protest, her vision dimming. She could barely hear the roars of the superhumans above her through the ringing in her ears. They loomed over her like shadows, ready to finish her off.
Suddenly, she felt a cold metal clamp around her wrist. One of them had grabbed her hand, his grip like iron. She struggled, but her strength was fading fast.
Then, a hand closed around her throat.
Suri's eyes widened as she felt the pressure constricting her windpipe. She gasped for air, her hands clawing at the hand around her neck, but it was useless.
The grip tightened with merciless strength, intent on choking the life out of her.