I pushed a chair under the door handle and scrambled to the corner. My eyes swiftly searched the room for weapons or an escape. My gaze fell on the cloudy window to my right. I wondered if I had time to flee—and how far I could get. It was a brief thought. I knew I would not leave without him. Could not. I cared for him too much.

A bang on the door vibrated the entire cottage as the ocean waves crashed violently against the cliff below. Another crushing thump followed, breaking the chair I had used as a brace. The door swung open and hit the wall, framing the fierce mob. There were even more of them now. And they had him. My breath caught in terror as they threw him toward me. He met my eyes, angry and determined.

They circled around us slowly.

This time, I couldn’t run.

I glanced at him for direction. It was a mistake. Those few seconds were all it took for the attack. Before I knew it, a sharp pain hit my stomach. My eyes widened in agony and shock. The blade burned as it cut through me. I gasped. This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t supposed to happen. My breath hitched as I met his eyes and reached for the person I’d loved, more than I ever thought possible.

And the knife twisted.