SAMANTHA
The knocking came again. Louder this time. More insistent.
"Samantha," Jayce called through the door. "I know you are in there. I can hear you breathing. Open the door."
My heart stopped. My blood turned to ice. I looked at Leslie, bound and bleeding on the floor, and I looked at the door where Jayce was waiting, and I had no idea what to do.
Leslie's eyes were wide. For the first time, she looked afraid.
"If he finds me here," she whispered, "he will kill me."
"That is not my problem."
"He will kill you too. For harboring a rogue. For keeping secrets from the princes."
I hated that she was right.
The knock came again. "Samantha, I am not going to ask again."
I moved. I grabbed a blanket from the sofa and I threw it over Leslie, covering her bound body. I grabbed a chair and I shoved it against the table, blocking the view of the corner where she lay. I kicked the candlestick under the sofa. I smoothed my dress. I took a breath.
Then I opened the door.
