The heavy thud of hurried footsteps echoed as Kai, Ryan, and Jay stormed into the room, their faces etched with concern. Their gazes darted to the arrow, then to Esme, who stood eerily composed beside the sofa.
They froze, stunned.
The arrow's proximity to where she had been sitting was unsettling. Yet Esme remained unfazed, her presence commanding even in the wake of danger. She reached out, wrapping her slender fingers around the arrow's shaft, and with one smooth motion, pulled it free.
Her sharp eyes examined it closely, and something caught her attention—a glint of metal nestled at the base of the shaft. A memory card, cleverly affixed and nearly hidden.
Interesting, she thought, turning the arrow in her hand.
