The compound felt like a cage. From the narrow window of the room Alexander had locked her and Daniel in, Emilia could see the guards patrolling the compound. Floodlights swept across the grounds, catching the gleam of rifles and the harsh outlines of armored vehicles. To anyone else, it might have looked like safety, but to her, it looked like another prison.
Daniel stirred in his sleep, clutching the stuffed bear Alexander had somehow found for him. Emilia brushed his hair back, her heart aching. She had sworn she would never let anyone control their lives. Yet here they were, under Alexander’s roof, under his rules, under the shadow of enemies she knew nothing about.
The door clicked open.
Alexander stepped inside, carrying two steaming cups. He looked exhausted, a fresh bandage peek
