Don’t panic. Clenching her hands under the blanket until her nails bit into the palms, Alanna talked herself down from her fears so she could think with a clear head and not let the fear overtake her. He’s just sitting there.

Her clear-headedness was shaken when the figure rose from the bed to stand at the bars of his cell.

“Don’t be afraid, Alanna. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Alanna put her hand over her mouth to keep from speaking, alarm bells ringing in her mind from hearing him call her by name, knowing she was frightened.

“I feel your fear.”

A low husky laugh started to rattle her already shaky resolve to remain calm.

He hung his hands out of the bars casually, as if to show he was weaponless and caged like her, but it didn’t lessen the panic which kept her silent.

The laughter stopped, and then she heard a loud, drawn-out sigh.

“You should had grown out of hiding when you’re scared.”

Pressing her lips together to prevent herself from asking how he knew about her habit, she wished he would move a little to the left so the light would expose the features the loose material of his hood concealed.

“This jail isn’t the safe haven you think it is,” he warned chillingly. “At what point are you going to be brave enough to quit running and hiding?”

Never, when she knew who was waiting for her outside!

The silent scream echoed throughout the chambers of her mind.

“You’ve let fear make you a prisoner long before coming here.”

“Shut up!” she yelled then slapped a hand over her mouth.

“What’s the matter? Did I strike a nerve?”

Alanna dropped her hand. “Did Owen pay you to get arrested to warn me to keep my mouth shut?”

“No one paid me to get arrested, but I am here to give a warning. You’re not safe here. I’m disappointed that you haven’t been able to come up with a better plan, other than to sacrifice your freedom because you’re afraid to confront your fears. I expected more from you.”

The censure in his voice had her pride taking a nosedive.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m just trying to stay alive the best way I know how.”

“Then, if I were you—” The hands hanging out of the jail cell slid back inside. Her fear skyrocketed when she saw a spark of fire then heard the cell door click open. Her vocal cords froze when he stepped into the corridor to stand outside her door. “—I would take the help being offered to you before it’s too late.”

Alanna sucked in a deep breath when she was finally able to see the face of the man speaking to her.