With a newfound strength surging through her muscles, Lorelai leaped again, her trembling hands stretching desperately to find something—anything—inside the passage to hold onto and pull herself up.
Scratching the rough floor of the passage, her nails were grinding down painfully, but the burning pain was the last of her concerns.
The violent barking grew louder, closer, more menacing. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized the truth: the dogs were now near her, salivating at her scent. They had already spotted her, their heavy paws thundering against the marble floor as they raced to drag her back to Kai.
