Lacey wasted no time. Even though she had just eaten, she was itching to run. Leaving her plate on the table, she wanted to seize the opportunity before Julien changed his mind. Lacey hurried from the room, through the foyer, and out the huge double doors of the castle.

Outside, she stood on the porch and took a deep breath of fresh air, letting it fill her lungs. Then she ran toward the edge of the forest. Alone, she stripped off her clothes and hid them in a tree. Then she ran ...