The corridor outside the estate staircase was dark, and the house had fallen into a strange silence.

By the time Aiden arrived, summoned urgently by the sudden commotion, Sora had already been taken away on a stretcher.

Haven stood near the foot of the stairs, pale and shaking, her hands clenched so tightly at her sides. When Aiden demanded to know what had happened, she told him Sora had slipped. That there had been an accident. That she had tried to help.

Her voice did not break and her eyes ...