/-Zara-/

"Did you hear me?" A familiar voice asked.

I breathed in raggedly, turning to face it.

"Maleek?"

I stopped struggling immediately. His hand remained clamped over my mouth, holding me tightly against him. I could feel the tension in his body against mine, coiled strength, the rapid beat of his heart against my back.

Footfalls thundered past our hiding place. Moira and Rowan burst into the corridor, looking left and right.

"I know someone was here," Moira said, her tone sharpening ...