I nearly crashed through the tower door after reading Victor’s note: guards knew I could move freely in the castle. Don’t make me regret it.
Freedom, even limited, made my blood rush for sunlight.
But the moment I stepped into the stone hallway, eyes stuck to me from every shadow. Guards watched with greedy stares that stripped me bare.
I pulled my coat tighter and walked faster.
At a corner, I almost ran—then crashed into a solid chest. Papers flew everywhere.
“Sorry!” I crouched to grab them.
“No problem.” A calm voice with a metallic edge.
I looked up into gray eyes. It was Karl, Victor’s beta.
We reached for the last paper at the same time. Our fingers touched. I yanked back like I’d been burned.
“Miss Thea. You’re recovering well.”
He helped me up steadily.
I pulled away qu
