A sudden knock on the door startled Kiara awake. She blinked, disoriented, her breath catching when she saw the dim glow of dusk spilling through the window. She had slept far longer than she intended.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she rose carefully from the bed, every step slow and measured. For weeks now, she had managed to keep her presence in Master Asher’s chamber a secret. The room was isolated, and entry was forbidden to all without his explicit permission. Patrick, the ever-watchful butler, guarded the door like a silent sentinel. The only exception her master had allowed was her closest friend, Gabrielle.
“It’s me, Gabby,” came the familiar soft whisper through the door.
A small smile tugged at Kiara’s lips. She opened the door, only to be enveloped in Gabrielle’s tight, co
