The storm had already broken over the coastline by the time Justina and Carson returned to the safehouse. Thunder rolled low across the sky, an undercurrent that seemed to follow them everywhere. The wind tore at the edges of the trees, rattling the windows, shaking the weakened frame of the house until it felt as if even the walls could sense what was coming.

Justina stood in the doorway for a long moment, refusing to remove her coat, refusing to breathe. The world felt locked between one ...