Leila's father and his men get close to getting them, but the dragon that they're riding on crosses the border into the "Kingdom of Hollows". The captain and the men immediately hold the Marquis back because crossing the border meant certain death and Luke was only ten years old.
Hannah and Leila overhear the kidnappers talking about how they need to leave or else the Hollows will come out and get them. Of course, this is what ends up happening and the kidnappers all disperse, leaving Leila, Hannah, and the dragon behind as fodder to make their escape. Leila can't see what's going on, but Hannah apologizes to her and confesses that she thought Leila would be well-protected because the kidnappers desperately wanted her. She admits she's done something stupid and shamed her mother and brother. Hannah completely wraps herself around Leila as if to shield her and the dragon also tries to protect them both. Leila passes out (because she's basically gone several days without sleep).
The next day Hannah's body is found by a group of Hollow Hunters. The dragon somehow survived but is bloody but Hannah is definitely dead. They find Leila protected under Hannah's body and they quickly figure out that the kidnappers stole her because of her eyes. The group is unable to bring her back to her home because 1.) They were afraid to be seen as the kidnappers and be punished for it and 2.) they have well passed the border and were in dangerous Hollow territory. They give her a choice...either to be sold to some rich man and live a life of luxury or to live with them where it's dangerous. She chooses the latter.