Clara took a slow, deep breath. She raised her arms and held the heavy black gun with both hands. She walked out of the shadows and stepped right into the bright room.
"Step away from her, Julian," Clara said. Her voice was surprisingly loud and clear in the cold room.
Julian spun around. When he saw Clara holding the gun, his eyes went wide, and then a slow, ugly smile spread across his face. He did not look scared at all.
"Clara," Julian said, his voice smooth and cold. "Look at you. The little mouse learned how to hold a gun. Did Alexander give you that toy?"
Beatrice made a muffled sound behind the cloth in her mouth. She shook her head wildly, her eyes full of tears, telling Clara to run away.
"I said step back," Clara repeated. She kept the gun aimed right at Julian's chest. Her
