JACK
I took the stairwell steps five at a time.
I’d made it through three flights and was almost to the fourth flight of stairs when I heard the scream.
I knew that tormented sound all too well.
I’d heard it many times before: on the island, in the west wing, in the modwrog hall.
I also recognized some small part of the voice. Sage, but not Sage.
A blanket of dread draped over my body. My heart rate plummeted, along with the blood in my head.
My thoughts froze in time, even as my legs increased their movement, and my sprint up the stairs doubled in speed.
It couldn’t be.
Not this.
Not her.
I’d already lost Caesar, my best friend. I couldn’t do death all over again.
Please, God, not her. I beg you.
I had to see it with my eyes. I refused to believe it was true until I saw her with my own eyes.