CHAPTER 7
Violet’s heart pounded harder than ever. Her breath rasped in her burning chest. The compelling warmth Leontios had generated in her evaporated like dew in the sun, supplanted by burgeoning excitement.
“Help us!” she cried in English.
An explosion sounded behind her, and she dodged to the left.
“Help! Help!”
A shout responded. “Who goes there?”
“Help us!” she screamed and then threw herself flat into the sand.
In the distance, the rifle fired again.
Leontios slammed into Violet’s back, covering her with his body. The bullet whizzed over their heads.
“Thanks,” she muttered.
“Who are you calling, VioletWarren?” Leontios demanded, ignoring the courtesy, “and how do you know they are a friend?”
“I can hear them. They’re speaking English. British English. These are the peop
