Lina hesitated in front of a door she'd passed before but had never been allowed to enter. She wasn't even sure what was behind it—just that it was always locked, and always watched.
Now, the lock was disengaged. Almost inviting.
Lina pushed the door open slowly. Beyond was a narrow staircase leading downward. Cold air drifted up from below, brushing against her skin like a warning.
Still, she stepped in, her breath shallow.
At the bottom of the stairs was another door—larger, heavier. She pushed it open and entered a wide room.
It was lavish. Too lavish. High ceilings, velvet drapes, and walls lined with gold-etched panels. But what caught her attention was the enormous pane of reinforced glass stretching across the far end of the room.
And beyond that glass . . . a bedroom.
A woman sat inside. Or rather—was confined inside.
Lina froze.
