“Come on, girls, hold hands,” I urged, pulling Emma and Lily out of their blankets.

Down the hall, I heard the heavy thud of boots reaching the top of the main staircase.

They were coming.

“Sophie, grab Emma’s hand,” I whispered, my voice urgent now.

I ushered the four girls out of the nursery and into the drafty corridor.

The sound of the guards’ footsteps grew louder, echoing off the high ceilings.

Then, the lights in the hallway flickered.

A soft, electronic hum vibrated through the walls.

The digital keypad on the master suite door down the hall suddenly glowed a vibrant, bright blue.

Claire’s system was waking up.

The blue light pulsed, casting long, sharp shadows across the floorboards.

I pushed the girls forward, my hand resting on Sophie’s trembling shoulder.

“Run to Daddy’s door,” I whispered.

The heavy thuds of the guards’ boots were getting closer, vibrating through the floor.

They had reached the landing of the main staircase.

Suddenly, the heavy mahogany door of the master suite swung open.

Nathan stood in the doorway, his face pale and his hair disheveled.