Caroline sat alone in her dark office, phone still warm in her hand.
Fiona's voice wouldn't leave her head.
She stared at the window. The city lights looked distant, like they belonged to someone else's life.
Her fingers shook as she tapped a number she knew by heart.
“Hello?" her mother answered, instantly alert. “Caroline?"
“Mom," she cried.
“What happened? Where are you?" Her mother's voice sharpened with fear.
“I'm at Valorith," Caroline whispered.
“At this hour?" her mother asked, serious. “Are you alone?"
“Yes."
“Okay…" her mom trailed off, as if sensing something was wrong.
Caroline tried to inhale. Her lungs refused.
“Mom, she called me," she whined.
A beat. “Who called you?" her mother asked, though she already sounded like she knew.
“Fiona," Caroline replied simply.
