Lucien's footsteps drew ever closer. The light from his torch grew brighter. Evelisse could see his shadow now, long and sharp against the wall.
She curled tighter into the corner. 'Don't breathe. Don't move. Please, not now!!!'
Her heartbeat thundered like a war drum in her ears. Every inch of her screamed to run—but she couldn't. Not now. Not when she was this close.
"Who's there?" Lucien's voice cut clean through the silence like the edge of a blade.
Her lungs burned. Her knees were shaking.
The air was thick. Every sound felt loud. Even her heartbeat.
Then—
BANG!
The sudden bang echoed from the far end of the corridor, followed by the hurried clatter of boots.
"Prince Lucien!" a guard shouted from beyond the hall. "The Council needs you upstairs immediately. It's urgent."
Lucien froze. His silhouette halted mere steps away. A tense second passed. Then—
He cursed under his breath. "Seal this cell. No one comes in or out."
