AUTHORS POV

He straightened. “Bodyguards—bring her back to the cabin.”

They yanked her arms behind her back. One more crack across the shoulders. She stumbled, staggered, but refused to cry out.

He watched her go, smiling.

That night, Clarissa lay awake. The knife lay on the dirty floor between her and the lamp’s glow. She stared at it—her salvation, her weapon, her burden.

Tessa was asleep in the adjacent room. Clarissa had hushed her in a lullaby simple as prayer. She had brushed the tangled curls from Tessa’s cheek and whispered: Sleep safe, my friend. I’m awake.

Now she looked at the door. Afraid it would swing open in any...