Marcus walked into the palace and went straight to the room where they had their first meeting. Normally, he would have announced his presence, waited for a guard to escort him, or at least knocked. But today, he did none of those things. Instead, he barged into the room, pushing the heavy door open with a loud thud that echoed sharply against the marble walls, causing the three men inside to look up at him in surprise.
Marcus's eyes swept across the room with stealthy precision, scanning every corner, every shadow, every reflection on the polished floor. He was hoping, no expecting to see the girl Derick had brought in earlier. The last time he saw her, she was walking into the palace which means she would be taken to the King. He was certain she must be here. But as he scanned again, there was no sign of anyone except the three men seated inside.
