I stood in the center of the room, my heart pounding against my ribs.

Bishop walked over and nudged my hand with his wet nose.

I knelt down on the rug and wrapped my arms around his neck, drawing comfort from his steady presence.

The silver locket felt incredibly heavy against my skin.

How could my mother have owned the exact same piece of jewelry as Lucian’s deceased sister?

My phone, which I had left on the bedside table, suddenly began to vibrate.

The screen lit up, casting a pale blue glow across the dark wood.

I walked over and picked it up.

The caller ID showed Alina’s name.

I quickly swiped the screen and put the phone to my ear.

“Alina?” I whispered, keeping my voice low.

“Mara, thank God you answered,” she gasped.

Her voice was thin and trembling, completely stripped of her usual confident sarcasm.

“What is wrong? Where are you?” I asked.

“I am at my apartment, but I cannot stay long,” she said, her breath hitching.

“Mara, you need to get out of there. You need to leave the Draven estate right now.”