e air thick with tension. Gabriel's eyes were fixed on her, intense but

discuss," Gabriel repeated, his

what to expect, but whatever it was, i

d, trying to sound casual, thou

his eyes. "No, Celine," he said, leaning forward in his chair.

ions?" she echoed, unsure of wh

to grow colder

you've worked in before. The rules here are... diff

ansion's strict rules, but hearing them from Gabriel, in suc

signed?" she asked, her vo

all still watching her with a strange int

ine, you're not just here to clean and serve. You're here

g about? She didn't want to ask too many questions,

her voice shaky. "What

hing much darker. "It's not what we want

come?" she repeated, trying

en silent until now, stood up from his chair.

for curiosity," Leo said, h

ask questions that you're n

a chill crawl

t understand. What

poke up. His tone was almost friendly, but ther

for now, just follow the rules. Do your job, and k

of the men seemed willing to give her one. Instead, they all watched her with varying

teepled under his chin. "I suggest you go back t

r. She had no idea what was happening, but something told her that

he was being watched. The halls felt colder, the shadows deeper. Every footstep

had come here for a job, a chance to start over. But now, it seemed li

sing her to jump. She opened it to find Leo s

, her voice tight

ead, he stepped inside, closing the

l, Celine," he said, hi

e that can change you,

t her heart

lking about? What

e window, looking out at the mansion grounds. His back w

s not just a home. It's... so

swallo

by that? What are y

it all to you, Celine. But I can tell you this: you're not here by chance

left her

" she whispered, her

out soon enough," he said, his voice cold and detached. "But you need to b

sk any more questions, Leo turned and left the ro

st. She had no idea what was happening, but one thing was clear: the mansion, and the men in it,

ing. She kept thinking about the words Leo had said. "You're not here by chan

t scratching sound, almost like someone trying to get

she called out,

atching

r, her hand hovering over the handle. Whatever was going on i

breath, she o

llway w

in front of her door,

she stared at the key, the s

s happen

and picked it up, her fingers tre

ut warning, the

rkness swall

e shadows, a whisper

t trus