Katelina hesitated at the maid's request. "Follow me," she said, but Jorick's warning was still warm in her mind, his edict.

Edict, as if he was her boss. He wasn't. She barely knew him. She didn't need to follow his order.

"All right." She followed the maid out of the kitchen and back into the dark green hallway. Her skin crawled as they reached the stairs and ascended them. She glanced around nervously, feeling like evil eyes were watching her. Deep inside, she knew ...