I step into the room. The first thing I see is the coffee table, covered with a tablecloth with three silver domes on it. The sight of those things practically makes me gag.

There are candles everywhere, as if this is some kind of romantic dinner.

Linnea is lying on the bed. The girl I hated so much for taking her place, for being alive when she was not.

Linnea’s hands are tied to the bedposts. There is a bright-red gash on her forehead, with blood trickling from it. It’s dried, but it looks bad.

“She isn’t fine at all!” I try to go to her, but Claus stops me.

“Stay here.”

How dare he hurt Linnea? That Room Service stuff was bad enough, but she has absolutely nothing to do with this.

The way she’s lying there, completely defenseless and terrified. Has he gone completely mad?

I’ll beat him to a pulp. I’ll kill him.

I raise my fist to take a swing at him, but then I crumple. A shock runs through me, which I feel from the top of my head to my toes.

Lucas swears. Kate screams.

I fall to the floor, twitching. It’s like I’ve lost all control over my body.

What is this?

“What did you do?” wails Kate.

“It’s a stun gun,” says Claus. “Don’t worry. It’s not lethal. Just really painful.”

I try to get up, but my muscles won’t cooperate. I lie on the carpet, gasping for air.

“So are you going to listen now? Or would you rather I give Linnea a turn?”

I’d rather die than listen to him, but I know he has all the power here.

“S-sorry,” stammers Kate. “We’ll listen to you.”

They all stare at the stun gun.

Did they really think I’d be unprepared?

I’ve had it for weeks.

Ordered it online, didn’t even need a permit.

Linnea

Lucas shoots forward and helps Fender to his feet. When Fender stands up, his eyes meet mine for a moment.

I can read all kinds of emotions in his eyes, but what’s he thinking?

Then he gives me a little nod.

I nod back.

It’s no more than that.

We don’t dare to do any more.

“Sit down.” Claus points at the cushions on the floor around the coffee table. “I made a seating arrangement.”

When no one reacts, Claus tuts.

“If you want me to let Linnea go, you’d better listen.”