Lucien's POV
As I slid into the shadows, weaving spells at every turn, I narrowly dodged the guards.
Damn it—this was more difficult than I'd expected.
I moved closer and closer to my escape, my eyes locking onto an open window ahead. The guards swarmed the halls like pests, their presence pressing in on me from every direction.
I needed to get out. Quickly.
Then I heard it.
"The prisoner is dead!"
The shout echoed through the corridor.
"Someone killed him—intruder!"
Shit.
They'd discovered it.
I clenched my jaw, magic flaring beneath my skin as I slipped deeper into the shadows.
I had to get out of here—now.
I decided to risk it and bolt straight for the window.
That was a mistake.
The moment I stepped out of the shadows—
Boom.
The impact slammed into me, hurling me across the corridor and into the wall. Pain exploded through my side as I hit the stone hard.
I groaned, struggling to push myself up, my breath hitching as I winced.
