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But my instincts are saying something different.
Being with Misha has taught me to listen to myself. To trust myself. And right now, my body is telling me that something is terribly wrong.
I stumble towards the wall and run my hand along it until I feel the panic button. Misha had them installed in most of the rooms, though they’re tucked away in discrete places. Each one is supposed to be a direct line to the security shack out front. But I press it and nothing happens.
I press the button three more times. Still, nothing.
There’s another thud from upstairs. Then a sharp kind of clicking sound. I grab my phone and call Misha. But he doesn’t answer. There isn’t even a dial tone.
Panic grips my chest. I feel claustrophobia tapping on my shoulder, reminding me I’m in a windowless room. I’m alone.
The dark presses in on me like the walls of a coffin.
I’m about to reach for the doorknob when I realize that one hand is clutching my phone and the other is clutching my pendant.
I grit my teeth, let go of my necklace, and push the door open.
It’s just as dark out in the hallway. The windows are open, but the sun is going down. I’m still looking at the window straight ahead when something moves past it.
I bite down a scream and duck into the nearest room.
The grand piano is off to my right, so I crawl underneath it and call Misha again.
Nothing. The dead silence makes me shiver.
In my stomach, the babies are kicking like crazy. I wonder if they can feel my panic. My heart is pounding. Maybe it woke them up. I run a hand over my swollen belly and take a deep breath.
“It’s okay. It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
My fingers are trembling as I search for Konstantin’s contact. I press dial, muttering the entire time. “Please pick up. Please, please, please, please, ple—”
“Paige.”
It’s not the voice I expected, but it’s the only one I want to hear right now.
“Misha!” I rasp, beyond grateful for this miracle. He’s saying something, but I can’t understand him. “Misha, I think… I think someone’s in the house.”
“Stay on the phone with me. I’m on the way, okay?”
“It’s really dark, Misha. I can’t—I don’t know where to go.”
“Go down to the cellar and seal the door.”
The last thing I want to do is crawl out from under this piano, but I also don’t want to be caught underneath it if someone walks in.
So I follow his instructions and inch my way out. I find the wall and follow it, edging out of the room on silent feet.
Then I trip over something large on the floor.
I barely manage to catch myself. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but when they do, I look down at what I tripped over.
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
“It’s Augustin,” I sob. “I just stumbled over him… h-he’s dead. Oh my God… someone has slit his throat.”
“Paige, listen to me—”
“Misha, I think—”
