y be

ding. Celine froze mid-step, her back

His laptop lay on the low table, its faint blue light casting shadows across his sha

ked, her voice b

he leaned back in his chair, drumming

ight?" he said finally,

ing the edge of her apron ti

ckle, though it lacked

sked, unable to hide the

ad slightly, his d

ou value your p

ght her off guard

ely toward the wa

ome you won't. But the moment you start aski

htened. "I don

resting on his knees. His voice drop

ur job, keep your head down, and don'

stake of thinking t

pulse pounding in her ears.

ed, though there was no

ing to scare yo

ent, neither of them spoke. Then, as abruptly as he had

missively, his attention s

cryptic, but the hard set of his jaw told her he wouldn't answer. Without another w

laying the conversation in her mind. The mansion had alr

ut? And what did he mean b

at the door. She opened it to find Liam stand

sked, leaning casually

e hesi

t... a lot

ay can be like that. D

tuck in her throat. Something about Liam's smile

ng off the frame. "Just follow th

murmured, watching

ught struck her: why did every

a part of the mansion she hadn't seen yet. The hallways there w

e heard a faint sound behind her, like the creak of a f

led out, her voic

an

but the uneasy feeling didn't leave. It fel

inst something cold and metallic. She looked closer and foun

?" she muttered, turning

ll on it, a sharp voi

are you

un around to see Leo standing a few feet away,

he stammered, quickly shovi

her face. He took a slow step forward, the t

low and dangerous. "This hou

walked away, leaving her standing there

-

ghed heavily in her pocket, its presence a cons

r bedside lamp. The design was ornate, almost antique, w

whispered, running her

ed the key under her pillow and opened the door to find M

ested your presence in th

onfused. "Now? It'

wer, only stepped asi

felt all day returned in full force. She couldn't shake the feeling t

line stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the shad

in a semicircle, their expressions

ze sharp and unwavering. He gestured to

is voice leaving n

mering in her ears. She glanced

ed toward the chair, her

leaned forward, his finger

one calm but edged with so

ething we nee