She dumped the backpack on the couch in the living room and was about to check the kitchen cupboards for small snack items when a loud pounding on the door downstairs made her jump. Dad rushed into the living room. “We’re too late,” Ridley whispered, her wildly thudding heart causing the ache behind her eyes to throb.
“Bring your bag,” Dad replied. “Mine’s packed. We can go out my window. You can use magic to—”
“It’s me!” came a muffled shout from downstairs.
Ridley and Dad both paused, staring at each other with questioning gazes. “Archer?” Dad asked.
“I think so,” Ridley said.
“Wait here. I’ll check.” Dad moved so quietly down the stairs that Ridley barely heard his footsteps. She stood frozen, hardly breathing, listening as the bolt slid across. Quiet voices exchanged a few words,
