TWELVE | Puttana?

Breathing profoundly.

That’s what Zarina felt like doing when her attention was caught by a tall, fair woman, who appeared to be around the same age as her. The woman appeared to be in a state of confusion, with wide, round eyes that seemed ready to pop out of her head. She ran her hands through her light auburn hair, as if she was frustrated or overwhelmed. After closing and reopening her eyes, she began to pace around anxiously, shaking her head in denial.

“This can’t be real,” the woman muttered under her breath as she continued pacing back and forth. “I must be hallucinating or something.”

Zarina remained still, leaning against the door which she had closed to escape the men who had been chasing her since her escape from the room. She had managed to dodge them and entered the only unlocked room in the maze-like corridors of Perazzo’s mansion. Her breathing gradually slowed down as she tried to calm herself.

The intensity of a pair of glaring eyes jolted Zarina out of her tranc