The hallways were darker than usual.
Not because it was night. It was just that the mansion felt heavier, like the shadows had grown thicker on purpose, like they were trying to warn us not to do this.
I moved slowly, one careful step after another. My heart was beating so loudly in my ears, I was almost sure one of the guards would hear it.
Rowan walked ahead of me, his tall figure dressed in black, blending into the dim hallway like he belonged in the shadows. He looked back at me often, his eyes calm but alert. He had done this before—I could tell. He knew how to move without being seen.
I, on the other hand, was a mess. My hands were sweating, my knees felt weak, and I kept feeling like we were going to get caught at any second.
I clutched the bag in my hands tightly. It wasn’t much—just some food, a bottle of water, a change of clothes, and a little book I had been writing things in. Things I couldn’t afford to forget.
Rowan raised a hand, motioning for me to stop. I froze behind
