“Busting you out, of course!” Her voice is fierce, but there’s a tremor in it that betrays her fear. “It’s one thing to flirt with The Reaper, it’s another thing entirely to marry him.”
Her eyes glisten with tears as she moves into my closet and emerges with a small, black suitcase. “What do you want to take?”
“They’ll come after me. It’s useless.”
“Yep,” she says, her jaw set tight. “They will. But we’ll be long gone before they even know we’re missing.”
“Maria, you’re not listening. There is no escape.”
Her hands ball into fists and land firmly on her hips. Even with the ‘Ursula’ makeup smeared across her face, she looks like a warrior ready for battle.
“We. Are. Leaving.”
“Maria—” I try again, my voice barely above a whisper, but she cuts me off.
“No!” She storms back into the closet and tosses a t-shirt at me. “Put that on,” she commands, then flips open a chest of drawers with a sharp pull. “And these jeans.”
I catch the garments, heart hammering in my chest. “This is insane,” I whisper, my words barely audible.
“Insane?” she spits back, eyes blazing. “You think it’s sane to marry a man who would kill without hesitation? To let your life be dictated by your father like a chess piece?”
I can’t find the words. I just stare at her, at the fire burning in her gaze. My chest tightens, and a shaky breath escapes me.
Maria crouches to meet my eyes, voice softer now, almost a plea. “Sophia… you have a choice. Take it. Run with me. Please.”
I swallow hard, trembling. Somewhere deep in my chest, a tiny spark of hope flickers.
“Okay.”
Maria smiles. “Good. Stand up so I can undo your dress. We don’t have much time.”
Maria and I move quickly through the dimly lit halls, our footsteps muffled against the carpet. My heart hammers so loud I’m sure anyone nearby could hear it. The suitcase swings against my leg, but Maria’s grip on my hand is firm, guiding me toward the back door.
We slip outside, and relief floods me for a brief second—freedom feels close enough to touch. My eyes sweep the backyard, taking in the familiar shadows, the hedges, the moonlight glinting off the grass. We walk at a normal pace until we are out of the lights of the house, then we break into a run toward the fence at the back of the grounds. Maria goes through first while I keep my eyes peeled for my family’s security—or anyone else who might recognize me.
And then my stomach drops.
The back gates are wide open.
Four guards lie sprawled on the ground, motionless. Blood stains the grass beneath them. My breath catches, and I stumble back, horror tightening my chest.
I exchange a look with Maria. She swallows hard, her face pale, but her jaw is set. She grabs my hand and starts to pull me along.
“Come on, Sophia! We don’t have time! If we stay you’ll be trapped.”
I stop, yanking my hand free. “I can’t let my family get hurt. I can’t just leave them!” My voice shakes with a mixture of fearand anger. “I’m angry at my family, yes, but I can’t… I can’t let them be harmed—or worse!”
Maria’s eyes widen, panic flickering there. “Sophia, wehaveto go! We don’t know how many more—”
“I don’t care!” My chest heaving. “I can’t turn my back on this!”
Before Maria can protest, I bolt back toward the house, my suitcase forgotten on the lawn. Every step feels like my heart is going to burst from my chest. I skid around the corner and—
He’s there.
Raphael. My body collides with his, and his arms catch me instinctively. I feel the heat radiating off him.
“Raphael—there’s trouble,” I gasp.
