changing the city's chaos into a distant sound. Xochi sat stiffly, her hands folded on her lap, fingernails digging into her palms. She hadn't spoken a

Xochi. Your h

sb

in her skull l

tall buildings, flashing bright signs, people rushing beneath umbrellas. All

through iron gates guarded by men in black, their faces blan

anymore. This was a

t beautiful-it was intimidating. Elegant in the way a knife was elegant. A m

t hammering against her ribs. The driver exited

d out into

nds. She barely noticed. Her eyes were fixed on the massive double doo

hout a word. She moved like a ghost behin

ed before the

vere. Not a maid-her posture said otherwise. H

," the woman

dn't know I was expect

't respond. Sh

adame Rousseau.

or. The insides was just as cold as the outside-wide halls, tall cei

ouches. Just art pieces she didn't recogni

me Rousseau said,

tudy, lounge, music room. Eve

atrium," the woman sa

moved sharpl

s Mo

was now lega

glass doors. Madame Rousseau pus

tepped

the center, its soft pours, the only sound. Tall indoor trees lined th

here

shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows. He had the kind of presence tha

ered. Just kept staring at

eared behind her, leav

owed hard.

ally t

ber, dissecting every move with hawk like precision . No

I expected," he said,

"I was told

her, like she was a business propo

than... your pho

her posture. "I wasn't aw

ly, as if that amused him, b

id abruptly. "It's a contract.

had expected them. She nodd

simple. Stay out of trouble, keep to your side

sed it. There was nothing to s

close. His gaze flicked over her

need. You'll have staff. Freedom... wi

y case. A stray he had a

your money,"

n eyebrow. "Yo

en them tightened

he said suddenly. "I di

time. Something flickered in his eyes

you signed. That mea

eath c

oors. "Madame Rousseau will show you

that, he

frozen, her fists c

if she wanted

m felt co

on-bigger

thought. This stranger.

iced Madame Ro

e," the w

't seen. Her room was beautiful-massive windows, soft lighting, a walk-

dn't feel

t like

ne, Xochi sat on the edge of th

ing was

hing wa

in her hands, willin

she he

tst

de he

Meas

sto

-one sof

d, heart

d the door... ther

black envelop

me. N

line on t

't belo