EVE
"I will free you," she said, frantic. Her heart thundered in her chest as she cut through the ropes that tied them to the chairs. "I must stay here and distract him."
"No!" Warick took the dagger. "You will come with me."
"He's no mere mortal," she said, tears in her eyes. "He's older than you, stronger than you. And he will hurt you. He wants me … and I will give him what he wants. You will find shelter from him and from the sun."
Warick gathered her into their arms. "I will return for you, Derina."
"Yes. I know." Derina brought Warick's face to hers for a tender kiss. "Let me save you. Just this once, my love. Come for me tonight. I love you."
Eve bolted awake, her heart hammering. The television droned, its flickering images barely penetrating the darkness around her. She realized that someone sat in the wingback a few feet away from the bed. Steven. "That wasn't in the book," she whispered. "Robert would never hurt Derina."
