The morning sun poured through the small, cracked window of Kiera’s room, but she didn’t feel its warmth. She sat on the bed, knees pulled up to her chest, trying to piece herself together after last night. Her thoughts were heavy, and the silence in the room felt like it was choking her.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her haze. She flinched and sat up straight, wiping her face quickly. Before she could answer, the door creaked open, and a maid stepped in. The woman’s face was ...