"I will kill Mira," he said, his voice low, dangerous, trembling with rage. "I will kill her right now. I will make you watch. I will make you hear every sound."
Bella did not look scared.
"Try," she said.
Samuel's brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his face like a shadow passing over water. He had expected fear, tears, begging, not this calm defiance.
Then he heard footsteps on the stairs.
Jace appeared on the second-floor landing, his arm wrapped securely around Mira's shoulders. Mira was pale, her skin the color of old paper, her face a mess of bruises in shades of purple, black and yellow. Her lip was split, her eye swollen nearly shut and her clothes were torn, with dark stains on her shirt that could have been dirt or could have been blood. She was leaning heavily on Jace, her steps unsteady and he moved carefully, supporting her weight without rushing.
Jay followed behind them, his weapon raised, his eyes scanning every corner.
