MARIA.
The figure who had tackled Galen out of the shadows tumbled across the high wooden beam, landing heavily on the narrow rafter before scrambling up into the lantern light.
Dark hair tumbled over her shoulders, her travelling cloak torn and covered in forest mud. Her breath came in frantic, ragged gasps as she pinned Galen's arms behind her back.
Anabel.
My heart did a violent flip in my chest. She had come back.
Galen let out a feral, enraged screech, thrashing against the beam as she tried to elbow Anabel in the ribs. "Get off me, you wretched traitor!" Galen shrieked, her face contorted in pure fury as she tried to reach for the small silver boot dagger strapped to her ankle.
