"I—I won't say anything," Aurora stammered, desperately searching for a way out of this situation. She could die here, and no one would care, except maybe Annie, who might shed a few tears. "I—I swear, I won't say a-anything."

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, her only hope now being that she would live to see the sun tomorrow. She deeply regretted sneaking out of her room in the middle of the night.

"Aurora Lane." Aderan spat her name with venom, his tone ...