Chapter 33: No Rest (2)
Theo watched the gang of thugs stalking toward him, each step deliberate, like wolves circling wounded prey. He darted a quick glance back at Ivansia’s family huddled at the foot of the stairs.
"Hide. I’ll handle this," he whispered sharply, his voice low but edged with steel.
The biggest of the thugs stepped forward, a wicked machete gleaming under the dim lights.
He barked out a demand, his voice booming. "Hand over the money! Do that, and we’ll protect your house from the angry mob outside!"
Theo let out a short, scornful laugh. "Protect this place? You ten scrawny idiots think you can hold back hundreds of furious people out there? Look at yourselves—barely enough muscle to lift those weapons you’re waving."
The thug’s face twisted, veins bulging at his temples as rage colored his expression red. "Kill this bastard!" he roared.
Theo dropped into his fighting stance, feet planted shoulder-width apart, fists raised. He could feel his own pulse pounding like war drums as the ten thugs charged him all at once.
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Meanwhile, Luna and Sherra had slipped away from the chaos, circling behind the thugs in the confusion.
They raced up the stairs and burst into Ivansia’s bedroom, finding her parents restraining her as she screamed and struggled to break free.
Ivansia froze the moment she saw Luna and Sherra standing in her room. "What are you doing here, Luna?" Ivansia asked, her voice hoarse, her face still pale with terror.