SOPHIA'S POV

The dark kitchen was dead quiet, except for the heavy, steady beat of my heart against my ribs.

Outside, the three black SUVs sat like crouching predators on our driveway, and their dark shapes blocked the only way out for a car.

Lucas stood beside me, with his back pressed against the stone wall near the window, his gun raised, and his dark eyes scanning the area outside with a cold, careful focus.

"They cut the main power line at the village station," Lucas whispered, and his breath was steady against my cheek. "The backup generator wires were cut from outside before they pulled onto the driveway. They...