ASTER'S POV
The uninterrupted rest I had longed for proved to be nothing more than a fleeting illusion. A knock at the door shattered the silence like glass. Thaddeus stepped inside, his face etched with a blend of worry and frustration.
“There’s a bit of a problem, dear,” he murmured, voice low and uneasy.
My eyes narrowed. “What now?”
“One of the witches,” Thaddeus began, “Camille Shadowgrove—the illusionist. She’s escaped.”
A growl of frustration escaped my lips. “How? The dungeon was secure. How could she—?”
Thaddeus raised a hand, cutting me off before I could explode. “She fooled the guards with an illusion. While they chased it, she slipped away.”
I sat up immediately. "Idiots," I snapped.
Thaddeus flinched. “We are already searching for her.”
I balled my fists. “Proceed
