Jane POV (Third person)

The corridor outside Ariel’s chambers was cold, the chill grounding.

Jane walked down it without hesitation, her boots striking the floor in a steady rhythm that matched her pulse right then.

Five guards flanked the door she was approaching, their shoulders stiffening the moment they saw her approach.

They straightened instinctively, eyes flicking to her face, then to each other.

She didn’t slow her steps reaching there, not even a little.

“I’ll ...