NATALIA
The door to the storage room creaked shut, and I didn’t dare to breathe until I heard Andrei’s footsteps retreat. Even then, I stayed still for several minutes, tucked in the narrow passageway between the walls, my arms wrapped protectively around my belly.
Damon’s hand rested lightly on my shoulder. “He’s gone.”
I exhaled, shaky and silent. My body slumped forward slightly, the tension leaving my limbs in waves. My heart, though, thundered on, unwilling to settle.
“He was so close,” I whispered.
“I know.” Damon’s voice was tight with restrained anger. “Too close.”
He helped me up, guiding me back to the adjoining room — the one I’d been hiding in before Grace opened her mouth and nearly destroyed everything.
The panic had been instantaneous. The moment we heard footsteps,
