Chapter 20: He’s Escaped...
"Emerald!" Nessa’s voice cracked. "He escaped!"
"What do you mean he escaped?" Emerald asked in surprise, staring at Nessa, who was bent over on the gravel driveway, catching her breath with her hands on her knees. "Who escaped?"
Nessa straightened, her face looking pale and sweaty. "The assassin... he’s gone."
A strange chill ran down Emerald’s spine, tightening her muscles. "Gone?" she echoed.
Nessa nodded, eyes wide. "Just vanished. The guards ran down when they heard noise in the dungeon, and his cell was empty. Just... empty."
Emerald wasted no time asking more questions. She walked quickly, almost angrily, while Lucian followed her quietly.
As soon as they stepped into the estate, the air felt tense. Darius stood in the middle of the main hall, his eyes filled with barely controlled anger.
Four guards lined up in front of him, their heads down, too afraid to look him in the eye.
"How did he get away?" he barked. "Where were you all?"
Silence.
No one spoke.