Esme’s POV
I left Cole’s room as fast as I could, gripping the USB tightly in my hand. My heart wouldn’t stop pounding.
I didn’t even know why I was shaking so much..anger, fear, or that deep unsettling curiosity crawling up my spine. The hallway was quiet except for the distant sound of guards changing shifts.
I tucked the small drive into my pocket and walked quickly through the corridor until I reached my room.
When I pushed the door open, the room was empty.
“Marek?” I called softly, but there was no answer. The bed was unmade, his jacket gone from where it usually hung. A part of me panicked—where could he have gone this early? But another part, the restless one, saw the chance.
Now was the moment.
I went straight to the small drawer under the bedside table and pulled out my
