Tia Mendoza had barely reached her, but Elise knew that the woman who stood before her had not brought good tidings. She carried the same cold air that always spread faster than her fragrance, and the way some staff had paused in their duty made it obvious that they had caught the whiff.

“Mrs. Mendoza,” Elise finally managed, straightening despite the twist in her stomach.

Tia Mendoza’s eyes flickered over Elise, assessing and dissecting. Her lips curved into the faintest polite smile, though it did not help relax Elise’s nerves.

“Why do you look that way. Are you surprised to see me?” she probed, her heels clicking against the stone...