Serena arrived in front of Lucian's door with a tray of food in her hand, Darrell standing beside her, his presence a silent reassurance.
"Be careful, ma'am," he whispered to her, the words barely audible, before he released a knock on the door, the sound sharp against the heavy silence.
"I said I don't want to be disturbed." Lucian's voice boomed from inside, the force of it vibrating through the wood.
"I'm not here to disturb you. I only brought food for you." Serena announced from the outside, her voice steady despite the tension coiling in her chest.
"I'm not hungry. Go away." Lucian dismissed, his tone final.
"I'm not going away," Serena signaled to Darrell, and he drew in a long breath, his shoulders tensing before moving to open the door, making sure he remained outside.
Serena paused as soon as she stepped in, her eyes quickly scanning the area for any threats that may come her way, every shadow a potential danger.
