Raisel's POV
The handle of Soren’s office door didn’t budge. Locked, of course. “Easy fix,” Hazel muttered, a mischievous glint in her eye as she reached into her handbag and produced a multi-tool lock-picking set. My jaw nearly hit the floor.
“Don’t give me that look,” she smirked. “You’d be surprised what a girl learns when she spends her teenage years sneaking in and out of her mom’s office just to avoid being her next chess piece.”
I let out a low whistle. “People never fail to surprise me.”
She shot me a knowing look. “Everyone has a shadow side, Raisel. Some just hide it better than others. The trick is to keep your eyes sharp and never dismiss that little voice inside telling you something’s off.”
I nodded, a heaviness settling in my chest. “You’re right. Ignoring your gut can
