Eira's pov
I knew I wasn't paranoid.
For days, I had ignored the feeling clawing at the back of my neck,that quiet whisper that something wasn't right. I was used to people pretending. I was used to fake smiles and quiet venom. But here… in this villa where every hallway whispered secrets and every breath came laced with tension… here I couldn't afford to be wrong.
And today, I wasn't.
She entered my chamber again. The same maid. Quiet, too quiet. Hair perfectly pinned, hands shaking only a little as she placed down the silver tray of food like she hadn't tried to murder me once already.
I stared at her without blinking, my eyes trained on her every move like a predator sizing up prey.
"Leave it there," I said coldly.
She obeyed, bowing her head. "Yes, ma'am."
I waited until she stepped back, two paces toward the door, before I spoke again.
