ARIA
“…We’ve been searching for her all these years.”
My brows knitted together in confusion. “Did you just say… royal?”
Maren let out a bitter laugh, her voice dripping with scorn. “Don’t play dumb. That girl is dead. She’s never coming back.”
My heart pounded. That girl? Who was she talking about? Who had they been searching for all these years? Before I could demand answers, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside the door.
Relief flooded me. Finally! Someone was coming to save me. I sucked in a breath and screamed with all my strength. “Help! I’m in here!”
But instead of a rescuer’s voice, Maren’s words
came through.
“She’s inside.”
The realization hit me. Whoever was outside that door wasn’t here to help me—they were part of the trap.
I pressed my ear against
