Severed Strings

The heavy runner along the second-floor gallery swallowed the sound of Leona’s footsteps as she moved away from the foyer. Behind her, the sharp chill of Declan’s voice still hung in the air, but she did not break stride. Her right hand remained pressed over the rip in her sleeve, feeling the sticky warmth spread across the torn wool of her coat.

At the upper staircase landing, Tessa stood under