Sebastian stood frozen at the foot of the steps, staring up at the house. The windows were dark, the air thick with smoke, and something felt wrong—terribly wrong.

Then he heard it.

A scream.

A woman’s voice. Sarah.

His heart stopped.

“Sarah!” he shouted, bolting up the stairs two at a time.

But the heat hit him like a wall. Flames were already spilling from the windows, licking up the stone, turning glass to molten shards. Smoke poured out in heavy, choking waves.

And then he heard her ...