Page 34 of Runaway Queen

My fingers brushed against something metal just as I started to truly panic.

I stilled, grasping for the metal shape, working it out from under me.

A knife, the regular kitchen drawer type.

Holding it in my hand like it was my only lifeline, I brought the blade to the lock. I was shaking too badly to get it in on the first try. I had to use both hands to steady them enough to work it into the lock. It fit perfectly. A soft click sounded, and a slither of light appeared around one edge of the box lid.

I heaved at the heavy wooden top over me, and cool air rushed in as a gap appeared. Light flooded over me, blinding me, as I heaved with all my might and shifted the heavy top to the side. Fresh air and the sounds of the ocean filled my head and I blinked in the sunlight.

I was morning. I looked around the woods. They were as beautiful and peaceful as ever. Still drawing harsh breaths of fresh air, I pushed myself out of the slim space I’d made sliding the top open and fell to the pine-needled floor of the woods. The smell of fresh dirt filled my nose, and I’d never been more grateful for anything.

My harsh, hysterical breaths were the only sound in the silence around me. I stared at the shadows between the trees. Was he watching me? I pushed myself to unsteady feet.

I dare you to live.

I took a staggering step away from the box. Just the sight of it made me shudder. I turned and took another step and screamed as I fell backward, just in time. A deep hole had been dug close to the casket. A grave.

A twig snapped in the woods to the left side of me, and I lost it.

I turned and ran. My bare feet slapped against the worn trails as I raced through the trees. I knew where I was. I ran this trail often. If I could keep up my pace, I’d be home in minutes.

I sprinted as fast as I could, considering I couldn’t catch my breath.

Ahead, my back garden appeared, and my house, looking quiet and sleepy in the early morning light. It showed no signs of the horrors that had happened there just last night.

I made it to the garden, sure that Nikolai was right behind me the entire way.

I bounded up the back porch steps and through the gaping back door. The sliding glass door had been left open.

As soon as I got inside, I whirled around and pulled the glass door shut, just as I steeled myself to look outside and see if he was really behind me.

There was no one there.

The backyard was undisturbed. The woods looked innocent and green at the edge of the yard.

I headed straight to the kitchen and grabbed a long, thin knife from the drawer and then ran to the front door and checked that it was locked.

I got the chain on before my strength left me. I slid down the door, my back pressed against the wood. The knife was gripped in both hands, like a prayer.

Hysterical laughter bubbled up in my throat.

Like any prayer could save me from Nikolai Chernov. Like any lock could keep him out.

“Are you laughing or crying, prom queen?”

14

SOFIA

Iscrambled to my feet, knife clutched in my hands. Nikolai lounged against the wall opposite me. He must have been sitting in the kitchen. I hadn’t even thought that he might still be inside.

“Don’t come near me,” I warned, pointing the knife at him. The end was shaking. I didn’t want to look scared, but the adrenaline of the coffin wake-up call was still surging in my veins.

“I find it interesting that you grabbed a knife instead of the phone.”

He lobbed something toward me, and my phone clattered off the seat beside the front door.

“When an intruder enters your house, don’t you know it’s best to call for help instead of trying to defend yourself with a weapon that could be turned against you?”

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