EMMA
The triplets paced the room, their voices overlapping amidst the confusion, and I couldn't focus. My eyes locked on a spot on the floor, trying to ground myself.
Then the door slammed open. A guard burst in, breathless, his hands drenched in blood.
We all turned sharply toward him.
He bowed slightly before speaking. "Brian is dead."
The air left my lungs.
"The arrow struck clean through his neck. There was no time to save him," the guard continued, voice grim. "We suspect it was laced with poison as well. The medics are still confirming it, but it's clear the killer wanted him dead. No chances."
Silence crashed over the room.
The triplets exchanged stunned glances, shock and disbelief etching their features but I didn't care. Hot blistering rage surged through me like wildfire.
I spun on my heel and faced Vera. She was curled near the fireplace, wrapped in Xerxes' coat like a fragile, trembling damsel.
But I wasn't fooled, I saw through her charade.
