The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice. The rules are simple – turn to page 56 in your current read (or 56% in your e-reader) and post a few non-spoilery sentences.

This week’s quote is from The Candle and The Flame, a young adult fantasy by Nafiza Azad.

Fatima makes up her mind to leave, when suddenly something moves in the darkness. She smells something foul, something wrong, senses it stir in the shadows just beyond the puddle of light in which Sunaina and her friends stand.

A growl, low and guttural, comes from the darkness and even those unaware of the malice freeze. Fear blooms fully on the faces of the people, including Sunaina and her friends, closest to the shadows.