POV: Clara

Clara had thought she was walking to her death.

With every step down the stairwell, it felt like the tether burned brighter, pulling her forward, pulling her into him. She’d told herself she was insane for this, showing up like this, instead of hiding, waiting for him to leave. She’d told herself she should have stayed behind that locked door, curled into blankets with her knees drawn to her chin, until she’d been sure he was gone.

But when she saw ...