Chapter 4 — The Fire

“Manuel!” Rosalie screamed, stumbling blind through the black smoke toward him.

The beam had struck his left shoulder, pinning him to the burning floor. He pushed at the weight, but the pain dropped him back down.

For twelve years her father had trained her to believe she was weak, clumsy, a burden.

Tonight, the strength in her body was the only thing between them and death.

Rosalie braced both hands under the burning beam, let out a raw scream, and lifted it just high enough for Manuel to drag his arm free.

She got him around the waist and guided him down a hidden service passage she remembered from childhood visits to Pinecrest.