He knew we were here, and he knew Roman was hurt.

I stood up, wiping my hands on a towel.

“Mara,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt.

“Yes, ma’am?” she asked, looking up from Roman’s side.

“Lock the lower levels,” I said. “Bring the estate’s backup security terminal online.”

“Only Roman has the clearance for that,” Mara said, her voice trembling slightly.

“I have the password,” I said.

I walked out of the study and down the dark hallway toward the library.

My wet boots squeaked against the polished hardwood floors.

The house was dead silent, save for the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.

I entered the library and walked over to the desk where the security monitor sat.

The screen was dark, reflecting my own pale, dirt-smeared face.

I touched the keyboard, and the screen lit up, prompting for an administrative override.

My fingers hovered over the keys.

My mother’s middle name.

It was Rose.

I typed the letters slowly: R-O-S-E.

The screen flashed red, then green, and a list of active security gates appeared.