The Panic Room

Elina’s stomach knotted, and she put her hand carefully over her baby as if she could protect her.

A cloud passed over the moon, an ominous sign. Even the wind chose that moment to kick up leaves and twigs against the window.

“I think, no matter what, as long as Darkness lives, we should all be on alert, even here in the safety of the compound.”

She squared her shoulders as Damonq broke away from the group and started toward the house. She refused to give the appearance of cowering inside.

She immediately put down the quilt, stroking her hand over it to collect courage and peace as she hurried to the door.

She was halfway down the outside steps when Damonq got there. He swept her up, his hands at her waist, lifting her off her feet and swinging her around to set her on the ground.

The small, dizzying dance warmed her. She slid her arm around his waist and looked up at him. “Your supersecret meeting is over?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you giving me a hard time about our stra