Hades

I pressed my thumb against the scanner beside the door. The familiar click, followed by a soft ding, echoed through the quiet hallway as the lock disengaged. The door slid open smoothly, revealing darkness inside.

I raised an eyebrow slightly as I reached out and flipped the switch. Light flooded the hallway, but Violet wasn’t there.

“Princess?” I called out, my voice calm, even though something was already starting to feel off.

No answer.

I stepped inside and let the door close behind me, the sound echoing too loudly. My eyes scanned the living room on instinct. Everything was neat and arranged, and somehow that made it worse. I...