Chapter 53: Attacked

Demetri had just returned from the flight. The long and almost continuous trip to and from Country B had taken a toll on him. He'd barely walked through the door and gone to get himself a glass of water when he heard Nora cry out," Hey you!"

He turned instinctively but before he could even register what was happening, a blur of movement caught his eye. Instinct took over and he caught the vase one-handed, an inch before it smacked between his eyes.

On the other side of the room, Nora's breaths came in shallow gasps. Her heart pounded as she slowly registered the scene before her. She had mistaken Demetri for an intruder in the dead of night, reacting on pure instinct and fear. As relief coursed through her nerves, she attempted to speak but managed only fragmented words, her voice broken and tremulous, "You..."