e spiked as she spun around, squinting through the darkness. Shadows danced across

alled again, closer

es scanning the stables' entrance. Then,

uickly replaced by suspicion. Why was he here? Wa

her voice shaky. "Wha

re was something different about him tonight-an edge, a restlessness. "I sho

et. She hadn't told Daniel about it yet, unsure if she could completely t

it to him. "It was slipped under my door this morning. It'

rds. His expression hardened as he read, his jaw t

room, but someone wanted me to find it. And t

er left this knows more than they're letting on

s in on them, thick with secrets and unanswered questions. For a moment, the only soun

involved?" Elena asked, her

strange, like she's trying to keep something hidden. Bu

sure of everything, so in control. But now, even he seemed to be unra

made them both freeze. It was a soft shuffle,

he kept a small knife for protection. He motioned for her to st

. Elena's heart raced as they crept deeper into the shadows, ev

ment-a shadow slipping behind a stack of old b

he called out,

ged from behind the barrels. It was a man, tall and lanky, with dishevel

idn't recognize him, but there was somethi

mbling. He held up his hands defensively, but Elena no

tep forward, his voice calm but firm.

aniel and Elena. "I don't want any trouble," he muttered

ipped a beat. "Y

to bolt at any moment. "I... I worked for him. Not officially, but.

arly skeptical. "Wh

ed stables. "He was onto something," he said quietly. "Something

down her spine. "What w

estate. The family. It's all a front. Edward discovered s

. "What are you talking abou

nswer, there was a sudden crash from outside the stables

st as she heard footsteps approa

e," the man whispered urge

the stables, slipping through a narrow door hidden behind a stack of c

spered. "What i

ing with Elena. But the sound of the approaching footsteps wa

red, pulling her toward the hidden

ight air. The cold wind hit her like a slap, but she barely noticed as they

dge of the estate, where the trees grew t

heavy. "We're not safe here," he said, hi

na asked, her mind sp

ear. "The ones who killed Edwar

his unlocks a door inside the house," he said urgently. "A door Edward didn't want anyone else

n her hand, her heart pou

the shadows at any moment. "In the west wing," he whispered. "Behind the ol

ed into the woods, leaving Elena and Daniel standi

el, her mind racing.

determined. "We go back