Seren peered out from her hiding place within the wardrobe where she’d secreted herself in. She’d thought the cottage was abandoned when she’d stumbled upon it in her flight. Now, she knew that she’d been wrong.

Outside her hiding spot, she heard noises. She held her breath, seeing the glow of light pooling into the closet from under the door.

The door swung abruptly open.

Seren abruptly moved her hand to the dagger hip. She drew it, speaking.

“Stay back,” she said, her voice sharp.

She wouldn’t be captured again. She wouldn’t allow it, no matter what it took.