Chapter 32

Elizabeth felt like everything was happening in slow motion. One moment she was dancing with Julian, enjoying each other's company, and the next, she watched as the window glass shattered, and half a dozen hooded men entered the boat, causing pandemonium. Her mind went blank for a few seconds, which was all it took for Julian to grab her wrist and lead her up the stairs.

"Wait! Where are the others?" she asked, pausing on the stairs. "We can't leave without them," she asserted, looking over the railing to locate them.

"They'll be fine. Right now, all that matters is getting you out of here," Julian replied. His eyes had a wild look, one that Elizabeth had never seen before; they burned like hot coals. "Once we're in a safe place, we'll look for them. If we stay here, we'll be easy targets," he explained in a calmer tone.

Elizabeth nodded, knowing that Julian was right, but something inside her screamed that she had to go down and find her friends. She couldn't leave th