That’s all I see, before I scramble to my feet again and run for the door. I wrench it open and sprint out of the house, into the backyard. I’m running barefoot across the path between the vegetable and flower gardens. I scream as loud as I can, “RAYLAN!!!” I have no idea how far away he is, or if there’s any chance he can hear me.

We’re so far away from anything. If I try to run to the main road, I’ll have to go over a mile down the driveway. It’s pitch black out, the only lights located directly around the barns and stables. I can’t stomach the idea of running alone through the dark. Especially when I know the Djinn can see much better than I can.

So I run toward the stables instead. I slip inside, smelling the warm scent of the horses, clean hay, and scattered oats. I can hear the horses shifting around in their stalls, their feet thudding gently on the wood floor.

I find Penny’s stall, and I go inside with her. She recognizes me, giving a soft little whicker. She rubs the side of her head against my body.

I say, “Shh,” very quietly.

I stand next to her, heart racing.

I’m regretting not looking around for some kind of weapon—even a shovel or crop. I wanted to get in here as quickly as possible, afraid the Djinn would pull the knife out of his thigh and come out of the house, so he could see where I’d run.

I listen closely, without hearing anything. That doesn’t mean much—I’ve already learned how quietly he can move.

Where did he go?

I can’t hear anything but horses.

Now I’m afraid for a completely different reason. What if Raylan comes back? The Djinn will ambush him. Raylan has no idea what’s going on—as far as he knows, Cal and Dante grabbed Josh and canceled the hit. He has no idea that anyone could come here looking for us.

I shift on my feet, wondering if I should try to cross the fields to find him. I can’t just stay here hiding while Raylan’s in danger too.

Right as I’m about to move, I see Penny’s ears stand up stiffly, and she takes a quick step to the side. I hear Brutus’s angry snort in the next stall over. The horses smell somebody else. Someone they don’t recognize.

The Djinn is inside the stable.

I stay perfectly still. Barely breathing. Time seems atrociously slow.

I don’t know if he saw me come in here, or if he’s just searching the most obvious places. I don’t know how carefully he’ll look, or if he’s just glancing around before leaving. I don’t know if he has a gun, or the fish knife.

I wait, my pupils so dilated that I can see every hair on Penny’s bright, coppery coat. She seems as tense as I am. She can probably smell my fear.

I don’t hear footsteps. I’m hoping, praying the Djinn has left.