"Gasp!"
The sudden sound echoed through the garden, making Yelena and Ivonna whip their heads toward the ground where she had just fell. Only then did they realize Evangeline had been there all along.
And worse, she had heard them.
Before either of them could react, another figure stepped into view. A familiar hand reached down to help Evangeline to her feet. Their horror twisted on their face when they saw Freja's face manifesting from behind the wall of leaves.
Freja gently pulled Evangeline up, steadying her before brushing the dust from the front of her dress. Her hands moved carefully around Evangeline's knees, patting the fabric smooth as if nothing unusual had happened.
"You know," Freja said softly, still smiling as Evangeline stood frozen in place, unsure whether to speak or stay silent, guilt pressing heavily in her chest. "The staircase here is very slippery. They water the garden often, so the stone becomes far too smooth."
"Freja—" Yelena began nervously.
