Arya's POV

I was still kneeling on the floor, hugging Christabel and breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo, when I heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Matteo's voice cut short our reunion.

—Mrs. De Santis.

I looked up, reluctantly loosening my embrace around Christabel, and froze.

Three guards I'd never seen before stood behind Matteo. Their faces were stern, and my eyes immediately went to the weapons strapped to their belts.

They weren't even trying to hide them.

An icy feeling