Mara tossed and turned in the plush bed of the guest room, the mattress too soft beneath her and the silence too profound for her racing thoughts. The stillness seemed to engulf her, trying to soothe her into forgetfulness, but sleep eluded her grasp like a wisp of smoke.

Finally, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the coolness of the marble floor beneath her bare feet. Drawn by the dim light flickering beneath the study door, she padded quietly down the long hallway, the ...