SERENA'S POV
*What are you thinking, Serena?*
Cassidy and Luna's voices barely register in my mind as I remain trapped in my own thoughts. My bodyguard, Lucian, is an oppressive shadow behind me, his presence suffocating, a constant reminder of the cage my father has placed around me. My stomach churns with frustration, my fingers tightening around the edge of my locker as I glance toward my friends. Lowering my voice to a whisper, I murmur just loud enough for them to hear.
"I need to find a way to evade him," I breathe, desperation lacing my words. "There has to be some way to slip past him, even for just a few minutes."
Before I can even process my next thought, a firm, unrelenting grip clasps around my wrist. My heart lurches as I snap my head up, locking eyes with Lucian's unreada
