"You have to go, Kiara. Master Asher will tear this mansion apart if you don’t return to his room," Gabrielle said in a low, urgent voice.
"Everyone will know it was me," Kiara hiccuped, her voice trembling like a fragile string about to snap.
"No one will know," Gabrielle assured, gripping the younger girl’s shoulders, "because before that happens, we will be gone from here. I swear it."
The words barely left her lips before a sharp knock at the door shattered the fragile moment. Both girls jolted, hearts leaping into their throats. Gabrielle instinctively stood to answer, but Kiara’s small, desperate hand shot out and latched onto her wrist, shaking her head frantically. The silent plea was clear....don’t open it.
"But..." Gabrielle began, only to be cut off by another round of knoc
