The morning started like any other. The early sun peeked through gauzy curtains, birds chirped across the trees surrounding the grand estate, and Amara moved through the quiet hallways with steady steps. As usual, she was on her way to get Seraphina ready for breakfast. Her mind was still half-asleep, going over her plans for the day, perhaps a visit to the garden or another reading session under the old maple tree.
But the moment she reached the top of the main staircase, everything changed.
Amara froze.
Her breath caught at the back of her throat.
Men. Armed men.
There were at least a dozen of them in the foyer below, dressed in black, wearing earpieces and carrying weapons holstered at their sides. Several of them were moving in and out of the mansion, their boots echoing heavily a
