et inside. I look back at the house, knowing that I'

ch to me the entire way t

entinel in the darkness, I am scared out of my wits. The gates open with an almost e

at I can see, with everything in its own place, and th

, just like the man who o

e front of the mansion. The car comes to a stop, and the man who has remaine

use of my weak knees. He goes to the back without helping me

ansion open as if they are welcomi

th of my bags to hea

s cool and smells faintly of

soft thuds against the marble floor a

me gawking. He motions with one hand and I foll

ens one slightly, mot

dimly lit with some fixtures on the wall. There are two large

the room from a door on the left. His presence is i

, the one with the sharp amber eyes and the casual smirk. He is still dressed in the suit from earli

e cold and assessing, as if he is weighing som

e tears that I've held back suddenly spill. I can't hold them ba

I feel utterly exposed, like I

the sob that breaks free. My emotions feel raw like

resume?" I ask, my voice cracking

t him, hoping that somehow seeing his

cess it. He gives me one single curt nod, his gaze never leaving mine. There is n

tice the panic seizing me. For the first time since I entered, his

mething hard

ck to the door he had entered thro

oor behind me opens, and a small figure steps inside. She is a short, ol

e door. "You'll need to calm down. This isn

ly, coming to stand beside me, a

he says in a soft, reassur

command, and I find myself swallowing a sob at the touch

and grounded, and for a moment, I feel th

anymore and allow her to gentl

om Damian's

lished floors is the only sound breaking the silence. She takes one of t

say, worried that the bag will be too

rying a certain playfulness. "This is not

w much I have packed in it, but I say nothing. She rolls it effor

ghs no

ngly strong. It almost feels like she isn't as frail as she appears

lm. "Don't worry, child. We'll get you se

se the gnawing unease twisting in my stomach. The vast mansion around us feels even more imposing now

re, and I'm sure I'll