The gunshot echoed through the mansion.
Elena's heart slammed against her ribs.
For several seconds, she couldn't move.
Mia grabbed her arm.
“Stay behind me.”
Another alarm sounded from somewhere downstairs.
Then—
“ELENA!”
Adrian's voice.
She immediately recognized the fear in it.
Not anger.
Not authority.
Fear.
“Adrian!”
She rushed toward the hallway.
Mia followed.
“Wait!”
But Elena was already running.
The mansion was almost completely dark. Emergency lights flickered along the corridor, casting long shadows across the walls.
At the end of the hallway, Adrian appeared.
His shirt was slightly torn.
There was blood on his sleeve.
Elena froze.
“You're hurt.”
“It's not mine.”
He reached her in seconds.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“I'm fine.”
Adrian looked behind
