ming of a guitar, her boots crunching agains

oice cut through the stillness as sh

jolt through her, and she immediately dropped her ha

a long time. "I-" The words caught in her throat. Her mind raced, torn between fea

down. "Captain Mufasa what?" H

ise to captain Mufasa, and swallowed hard. Ev

ng her voice steady. "He... he's recove

issed it with a wave of her hand, her co

etter, the wax seal glinting in the dim lig

went

heavy. House Keil. It's been three years... Dr

in Mufasa's torment, free from his suffocating grip, and his

mart of you to return," she purred, unfolding the letter with deliber

sfied nod. "Pre

lora, suffocating her. Her hands clenche

nger. Or... maybe I should return to Mufa

be a sentence worse than any suffering she had ever en

o

And this time, s

hing away," Carol snappe

tar aside and stood up. "

owing. "And why are you doing nothing, you lazy girl? A guitar won't put food on the

o the city center and fetch the milk gallons. And while you're at it, remi

I should wait a bit longer." She n

I won't tolerate your laziness

hone rang. She answe

purred, her voice d

mes. His voice came sharp and demanding. "Yo

ering her in one piece. However, the deal

" captain Mufasa snapped, fu

use you took too long to be a man, Mufasa. Old lady Stee

know about your plan to

ration. "She was already betrothe

ol. How much lower can you si

giggled, unfazed by his scorn. "Now that Sir E

o pay back," he warned. "You tricked me into believing that Alor

who once looked down on us-like that smug Serene and the arrogant elite leader Lupita-are already crawling back,

u and Todd are playing a dangerous

ll be ready soon enough," she

nto her car and drove away. There w

, Alora contempla

ed as she weigh

uld make her his pawn, his captive, his plaything, but her

unknown. Leave Provid

The world outside was vast, unfamiliar, and ruthless. But for the first time, her

ision w

e had hidden away in the stable. Her fingers brushed the

eyes. Could she

ar had been her voice when no one listened, her solace when the worl

rn for you.

ay, she steeled her resolv

back her life. She was heading for Willowy Heights-the on