. It finally slowed, turning through a set of massive iron g

gray stone manor loomed in the distance. It loo

ain. Two rows of servants stood in the pouring r

slapped her face. She grabbed the heavy, wet layers o

s thirty feet high. Dark oil paintings of dead Terrell ancestors stared d

a. He held a cane with a solid gold lion's head. His silve

Graves

robe. He held a brass compass in his hands. This

oed like a gunshot. He glared at Frieda's wet hair and ruined

raight. She looked the old man rig

of surprise crossed his face. He was

s and gave a shor

he brass compass out and walked

un wildly. Silas frowned, th

nt of her. "Give

ccult nonsense made her skin crawl. She tried to pull her hand ba

against her pulse poi

un around and bowed deeply to Grave

the young master. Her life force will suppress the destructi

ed between Graves and Silas. It was a performance. Graves didn't care about the stars; he needed a plausible, superstitious excuse

of it all. She was being treated like a human blood bag, paw

our duty as a wife, girl. If my grandson's condition worsens

e was tied to the life of a

the elevator. They rode up to the eighth floor.

swallowed their footsteps. The air smelled

ble doors. He didn't knock. He pulled a key from

inside and pull

ock c

fabric of her dress. She took a deep breath and