22.

As Aniston scrambled away, Xavier watched him retreat, his smirk fading into a steely expression. He hated leaving loose ends, but at this point, Aniston’s terror was more useful than his blood. Xavier turned, sliding his dagger back into its hidden sheath, his mind already moving to the next phase of his plan.

A faint whisper behind him caused Xavier to pause. He didn’t need to look back to know who it was.

"Still lingering in the shadows, Angelina?" His tone was calm, but there was a dangerous undercurrent to it.

Stepping out from the darkness, Angelina appeared, her face set in defiance despite the dirt and scratches marking her. She dusted herself off, refusing to let his intimidating presence faze her, though the echo of his command to "run" still reverberated through her.

“I told you to leave,” Xavier growled, not sparing her a glance. His eyes flickered down the hallway, checking for any signs of lingering threats.