Scarlett’s POV
I didn’t speak as we ran. I couldn’t.
Not because I was too winded, but because I couldn’t trust the sound of my own voice. I was afraid it might shake, or scream, or unravel completely. My mind was still caught on the image of the masked figure standing silent in the trees.
Watching us.
No, studying us.
And there had been two.
Miriam’s grip was strong in my hand. Steady. She didn’t ask questions as I yanked her into the underbrush and led her north, into a curve of the woods I remembered from the satellite maps. She trusted me completely.
And after everything…after everyone...I realized how rare that was.
We didn’t stop until we were a good mile away. When we reached a small rise overlooking the edges of the estate’s west wing, I dropped to the ground and finally al
