“Bella!”I groan and turn away from the voice, trying to sink deeper into sleep. I’m underneath the embrace of clouds, floating through my dreams, but the voice comes again, shaking me out of my slumber.I peel my eyes open and find my sister’s panicked face, looking down on me. Something about the way her eyes are wide and seem to be in shock makes me bolt upright in bed.Wait, bed?I don’t remember when I got back to my room last night. All I can remember is the rooftop, with William’s head on my lap and staring at the stars. I must’ve fallen asleep there, right after he had. I’m still in the blue dinner dress, which explains why my body feels like it’s bound.“Bella!” Wilma calls again, shaking my shoulders.I blink back at her, fully awake now. Her expression makes a shot of panic flash through me like electricity. My heart climbs up to my throat. I don’t want to think of what could get Wilma shaken like this, but the worst case scenario comes to my mind. Mom. “What is it?” I dema

“All of this and you didn’t even think to tell me?” Bibah huffs through the phone. I hear something fall in the background, and she huffs again, feet shuffling.“I’m telling you now.” I point out.“Yeah, after someone gets unalived!” She whispered harshly, keeping her voice low because her siblings are nosy. She’d gone straight home to Sohdan City after graduation. “Does William know it’s not suicide?”I sigh and recline back on the pillow propped up on my bed. “No, I didn’t tell him.” I admit, glancing at the unresponsive face of my mom. Wilma had gone to her room to take a shower and change out of her blood soaked clothes.I’ve done the same, but it still feels as if I have blood drying on my skin and on the oversized white cotton tee and black maxi skirt I’m wearing.“Well you should. And you should get out of there, ASAP.” Bibah chides, the worry in her tone palpable. “Fauza is getting the flight tickets online as we speak. There are no outbound flights from South Lake City to Soh

I have no idea where to start looking for Ethan.Mila really should’ve given us a tour of the private quarters. What I do know is this; William’s room, and possible Luke and Mila’s rooms are on the third floor, and the only thing above that level is the rooftop. The guest rooms where Wilma, Lexie and I stay, are on the second floor, and I’m pretty sure the other doors on that level were more of guest rooms too. That leaves the ground floor for exploration, where I already know there’s a kitchen, a large living room, and…I look out the sliding doors of the living room and find a swimming pool out on the terrace. There’s a swimming pool. Well, of course there’s a swimming pool, this place is unbelievably huge.Abandoning my mission to seek out Ethan, I open the transparent sliding doors instead and step out into the terrace. If I’m leaving soon, I might as well explore the rest of the house.Cool wind blows through my hair, brushing against my cheek like an invisible, loving hand. The

Ethan narrows his eyes. Suspicion flashes through his gaze. I can see the choice warring behind his eyes, and then it all falls away. Nothing but conviction stays. He doesn’t believe me, but he acts like he does. I know an actor when I see one.I clutch the knife behind me tighter.“We can’t stay here.” Ethan says finally, shadows falling over his face as he shifts back and the infrared lights cuts over the hollows of his cheeks. His smile looks more wolfish than ever, and I know I’m in the presence of a predator. “I know a safe place. A panic room.” He makes a motion for me to come forward. “We don’t have time.”No, you don’t have time, because I’m going to fucking kill you.I make a show of hesitating. I must convince him I know nothing. For now. “But my sister…”His smile tightens, teeth gleaming red in the lights as if he’d gulped down blood and stained the enamel. “We’ll look for her. But I need you to stay safe first.” He wipes a splatter of blood on his cheek, and I wonder if i

I freeze.I know that laugh. It has haunted my nightmares. It’s the sole reason for all of this destruction. All of this madness. I look up towards the main entrance of the house, just as Lucien and about seven of his men enter through the splintered doorway.“Well, well, If it isn’t Isabel and her prince charming.” Lucien chuckles, smoothing down his beard. The military shirt and black slacks he’s clad in are crisp and clean, like someone ready for the runway.I shield William with my body, turning completely to face Lucien. “I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.” I spat, seething.He grins, the lit cigarette in the corner of his lips glowing with red embers. He takes a puff, then flicks it away and stubs it with the heel of his Italian loafers. “You should have.” He agrees, nodding his head. “Cause now, I’m going to kill, you.”Seven men.Lucien himself.There’s no way I can take them.But we have to try. We have to try. A voice in my head snarls; we have to try. Suddenly, I