The Blackwood mansion was under lockdown.
By the time we arrived, every gate was closed.
Security guards stood along the driveway.
Two black SUVs were parked near the entrance.
I looked at Adrian.
“What happened?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
He ignored me.
I followed him inside.
Ethan was already waiting in the foyer.
He looked serious.
“What happened?”
“Someone tried to access the security system.”
My stomach tightened.
“Someone broke in?”
“Not exactly.”
Ethan handed Adrian a tablet.
“There was an attempted breach twenty minutes ago.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“From where?”
“Inside the property.”
I stared at him.
“Inside?”
Ethan nodded.
“Someone used an authorized access code.”
Silence.
Adrian looked at him.
“Whose?”
“We’re still checking.”
I felt a chill.
“Could it have been one of the staff?”
“Possibly.”
“Or someone from your family?” This story is hosted at g.com.
Adrian looked at me.
“Possibly.”
I didn’t like that answer.
He took my hand.
“You’re staying upstairs.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I’m not a child.”
“I know.”
“Then stop treating me like one.”
His jaw tightened.
“You don’t understand the situation.”
“Then explain it.”
He stared at me.
For a moment, I thought he would.
Instead, he said:
“Someone is looking for something.”
“The bracelet?”
His eyes changed.
That was answer enough.
I touched my wrist.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“You just said someone is looking for something.”
“I don’t know what they think you have.”
I stepped closer.
“Do you?”
He said nothing.
Ethan cleared his throat.
“We found this near the east gate.”
He handed Adrian a small black envelope.
Inside was a single photograph.
My mother.
Standing beside Isabelle Blackwood.
And Victor Carter.
The same three people from the photograph I had seen earlier.
On the back was a message.
You can’t protect her forever.
Adrian’s face became unreadable.
I looked at him.
“Who sent it?”
“I don’t know.”
“But you have an idea.”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
He folded the photograph.
“Someone who knows our families.”
I stared at him.
“That doesn’t narrow it down.”
“No.”
He looked at Ethan.
“Double security.”
Ethan nodded.
Then Adrian turned to me.
“Go upstairs.”
I didn’t move.
“Elena.”
I looked at him.
“Fine.”
I walked away.
But as I climbed the stairs, I made a decision.
If everyone was determined to keep me out of the truth—
I was going to find it myself.