ainst her skin. The darkness from the sudden blackout in her room was suffocating,

y, something about it seemed to demand her attention. She gripped it tig

amiliar voice

oorframe, his silhouette illuminated by the dim hallway light

k?" he asked, stepping inside w

back. "The lights went out," she said quick

tle it made her stomach twist with unease. He stepped cl

he said smoothly, his voic

s fingers brushed her wrist before she could fini

not here to interrogate you. But if you're keeping secrets, I sugg

ong before he turned toward the door. "Join us in the study,"

ft, leaving her heart poundi

-

ng bookshelves and ornate furniture. The other men were already gat

zily. "Took you long enough," he teased, his gaze f

schedule," she replied, her vo

njoying her discomfort. "

warning look before turning to Celine. "Sit," he sai

xchanged brief glances, an unspoken conversation passing

e," he began, his tone measured. "And while we don't expect

ine asked, her

l playful demeanor replaced with seriousness.

rowned. "

ing you need to worry about just yet. Just... stay alert. And

t clear there was more he wasn't saying. Celine wanted to push, to demand

arted. The men filed out one by one, leavin

know," a voice sai

ding near the bookshelf, his arms cr

he repeated

king its prey. "Most people wouldn't handle this place as well as you have,"

despite the warning bells ringing in her mind. "What are you

nt smirk. "Just that you shou

ed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The gest

lmost tender. Then, without another word, he disappeared i

-

ight a constant reminder of the strange events unfolding around her. She sat on h

at her windo

slightly in the breeze, but there was no one there. Slowly, she s

oice called, s

aning against her doorframe, his gr

e," she said,

ender. "Sorry, didn't mean to. Just

narrowing her eyes. "It'

t can I say? I'm a night owl. And you l

o feel the heat radiating off him. "You're tense," he obse

e said quickly

eyes sparkling with amuseme

brushing against her wrist. "Relax, Celine," he said

, she forgot about the key, the whispers, and the looming sense of danger.

d, but the words c

e barely audible. "Don't thin

her standing there, her heart

utched in her hand, she couldn't help but won