"It is time to come home, princess."
Emily's jaw dropped, and then she screamed.
The next moment, she was up on her feet and running with the little strength she had left as her mind replayed his words.
It is time to come home, princess.
She wasn't a princess, and she didn't have a home. Her mother was dead. The very one that took her in had forsaken her, and when she thought she could make one of her own, he also betrayed her.
What home was he talking about?
Emily didn't get too far as a hand shot out to close around her wrist.
She let out a surprised shriek. "Please let me go." She struggled but to no avail.
She was helpless against the two men who dragged her back towards the unknown man, and she cowered back in fear, her wild eyes meeting his cold, uninterested ones.
"Be quiet!" He ordered, and her whimpers instantly died.
Was this the end? Were they going to kill her?
He raised her chin and peered down at her with narrowed eyes.
"I was going to leave you alone like your mother wanted, but I see that you can't manage on your own."
Her mother? Did he know her mother? Emily wondered, but before she could speak, he continued.