The mansion was silent... Too silent.
Smoke curled from the shattered chandelier, the scent of burnt iron and blood hanging heavy in the air. Rain leaked through the cracked skylight, spattering across the marble floor where Daisy and Romeo still lay—stunned, bruised, but breathing.
Daisy pushed herself up first, groaning. "Romeo…?"
He stirred, eyes dazed, coughing out dust. "Still here... Barely."
They both turned toward the center of the hall.
The Heart was gone, so were Bianca and Alessia.
Only scorched marble and a faint crimson residue marked the spot where they had stood.
Daisy's hand trembled as she touched the floor. It was still warm, pulsing faintly, like something alive beneath the surface. "This place feels… wrong."
Romeo glanced toward the broken door, every nerve on edge. "We need to get out before the guards come in. They'll think we did this."
"No." Daisy's voice cracked. "We can't leave. Not until I know where Alessia is."
