The Roots Beneath

Chapter 20: Fractured Calm

Seren was nervous.

She had spent too long picking an outfit, pacing in her room, and overthinking every possible outcome of this date. It wasn't her first date ever, but with Elijah, it felt different. More important.

Now, sitting across from him in the cozy booth of a small diner just outside town, she felt the weight of it all settle in.

Elijah, as always, was calm—at least on the surface. He leaned back against the seat, one arm draped casually over the back of the booth, his dark eyes watching her with an unreadable expression.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.

Seren smiled, playing with the straw in her milkshake. "Yeah. Just—" She hesitated. "I don't know. I feel like I should be nervous, but I'm not."

Elijah raised a brow, a hint of amusement in his expression. "That's a good thing, right?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I think it is."

A comfortable silence settled between them. Outside, the winter chill fogged up the windows slightly, blurring the world beyond. The diner had an old-fashioned charm, warm lights and the scent of coffee lingering in the air. It felt safe.

Until it didn't.

The door swung open, the bells above it jingling. A group of guys strolled in, laughing loudly. Seren barely paid them any attention—until one of them stopped near their booth.

"Well, well," a voice drawled, thick with something mocking. "Didn't expect to see you here, Elijah."

Seren looked up.

The guy standing in front of them was tall, lean, and annoyingly good-looking. Tousled blond hair, sharp blue eyes, and a smirk that made her immediately dislike him.

Elijah tensed.

Not visibly—anyone else might have missed it—but Seren had spent enough time around him to notice the subtle shift. The way his fingers curled slightly against the table, the way his jaw tightened.

The guy tilted his head, clearly enjoying whatever reaction he was getting.

"New company, I see," he continued, his gaze flicking to Seren. His smirk widened. "Didn't take you for the dating type."

Seren blinked, caught off guard.

Elijah's expression darkened. "Walk away, Finn."

Finn.

Seren didn't know who he was, but it was obvious Elijah did.

Finn let out a low chuckle, but there was something sharp beneath it. "Relax, I'm just saying hi."

"Then say it and go," Elijah said, his voice quieter now, but somehow more dangerous.

Seren's eyes darted between them. She had never seen Elijah like this before—so tense, so coiled, like he was seconds away from something snapping.

Finn, however, seemed to enjoy whatever game he was playing. He leaned against the booth, far too close for comfort.

"You always were bad at keeping your temper in check," he mused. His blue eyes flicked to Seren again, curious. "Does she know?"

Seren frowned. "Know what?"

Elijah was out of the booth before she could blink.

He didn't touch Finn, but the sudden movement alone had an impact. Finn straightened, smirk faltering for a split second before settling back into place.