Run?
The word struck like a cold knife, chilling them all to the bone.
Sarah took a step forward, her expression wary. "Run? Why?"
"They intend to kill us," Heappal said grimly. "We're as good as dead if we stay."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Emma swallowed hard. "Who?"
"The royal family," Samion answered. "They're blaming Lord Alaric and Lady Salviana for Jaron's death. And to make matters worse, they're spreading rumors—twisting the truth to turn the whole castle against them. Against us."
Jaefel clenched his jaw. "The guards are under orders. They're rounding up everyone connected to them—maids, knights, servants. If we don't leave now, we won't get another chance."
Emma felt her stomach drop. They were really going to die if they stayed.
Thalia sucked in a sharp breath. "Then where do we go? How do we find them?"
Emma's eyes flickered with realization. "I think they left a map." She remembered seeing something.
Samion straightened. "Then let's go."
