The Escape

Lila jolted awake to the sound of rustling. The room was steeped in darkness, the only illumination coming from the thin sliver of moonlight peeking through the curtains. The faint scent of damp carpet and cheap motel soap filled her nostrils. For a moment, disoriented, she struggled to remember where she was. Then reality hit her like a fist to the gut.

She wasn't home. She was in a hotel Adrian had put her in—one of his safe houses.

And Lora was moving around, hurriedly stuffing things into a bag.

"What are you doing?" Lila's voice was thick with sleep and confusion. She pushed herself up on her elbows, blinking rapidly.

Lora's head snapped up, her expression tense. "We have to go."

Lila frowned, her heart hammering with immediate dread. "What? Now? Why?"