Nana reappears quickly, her eyes darting frantically to me and then the door. This wouldn’t be the first night she stood between me and the evil that lurks behind it. Over the last year, she’s refused to leave my side, as if she knows the unsettling feeling we both refuse to acknowledge is right. The difference is, tonight I knew the sinful look in Jake’s eyes before he left for the party with mother and father. I felt his lingering touch as he said goodnight to me in the hallway before I retreated for the evening. His eyes watched me, unmoving, as he stood in the doorway to my room. Nana won’t be able to stop him tonight, and something about the thought of her getting hurt makes me suddenly jolt out of bed in fear.

“Nana…”

The door slams open as she holds up her hand, stopping me from coming any closer. My eyes lift and catch the large, towering frame standing in the doorway and I sink back onto my bed. A drunken cloud fills his eyes. Annoyance instantly settles across his features. He stares at Nana in outrage. His fists clenched at his sides as he takes a slow step into my bedroom.

“I thought you were told to be gone by the time we returned,” he snarls.

“Didn’t feel right, leaving the children all alone in this big house.”

Nana stands tall and I shrink back into the darkness, cowering once again into the dark corner of my bed.

Jake’s eyes dart from Nana to me. He licks his lips and I shudder, gripping the sheets tighter in my fists and trying my hardest to disappear into the shadows. Closing my eyes, I pray for a miracle. For the magic. For a chance to escape and never think again about the way he’s looking at me tonight. The way he always tries to touch me. The way I know he wants to do things to me that shouldn’t be done.

“That’s not your concern,” I hear him say a moment later. His boots are heavy as he stomps across the floor and I open my eyes wide, worried he’s headed in my direction. “You aren’t paid for your opinions on what you think is right. You’re paid to do as you’re told.”

His eyes drift to mine and an evil smile pulls at his lips.

“There was an accident tonight.” I stop breathing waiting for him to continue. “Mr. Darling won’t be returning home.” My heart stops. “Ever.” His eyes bore into mine and I start to shake. “Seeing as I was his right-hand man, I’m now in charge. Wendy is thirteen now. We won’t be needing your assistance any longer.”

“I take my orders from Mrs. Darling…”