Aria learned very quickly that sneaking around a palace full of vampires required three things: timing, patience, and a very convincing innocent face.
She had the face down.
With a basket of folded linens balanced on her arm, she moved through the servant corridors like she belonged everywhere and nowhere,guards barely spared her a glance. Servants rarely did invisibility was one of the few privileges slaves possessed.
"Aria," Mirelle whispered sharply as she passed her near the kitchen archway.
Aria paused. "If this is about spilled soup, I swear it wasn't me."
Mirelle snorted softly despite herself. "You joke too much for someone about to get caught."
That made Aria still. "Caught doing what?"
Mirelle leaned closer. "You're asking questions. Too many."
Aria sighed. "I'm just… curious."
"Curiosity gets people locked away," Mirelle said, then hesitated. "Or worse."
Aria softened her voice. "I won't be careless. I promise."
