The morning sun had barely risen when Isla woke to a sharp scream that pierced through the halls.
Her eyes flew open.
She sat up quickly, her heart pounding. The scream came again, followed by loud thuds and angry voices.
Throwing off the blanket, she rushed to the door, yanked it open, and stepped outside. The hallway was chaotic.
Gasps. Whispers. Footsteps.
And then she saw it—
A maid was being dragged across the marble floor by a guard. She was naked, her skin bruised and bleeding from the lashes of a whip that another guard swung at her mercilessly as they moved.
Isla's eyes widened in horror. Her body froze as the girl let out another scream that echoed through the palace.
Maidens stood at the sides, whispering amongst themselves. None of them moved to help.
Shaken, Isla walked closer to one of the maids standing near her.
"What happened?" she whispered urgently.
