ercing gaze or the way he seemed to know I was hiding something. It felt like he was everywhere, his pr

lately," she said one morning as we folded freshly laundered

also fiercely loyal to the Moretti family. Telling her what had

a small smile. "Just tryin

ftening. "It takes time. This h

ords carefully. Everyone in the mansion seemed to carry a bur

arkness that seemed to follow him like a shadow-but I knew better tha

g you into its web, no matter how h

handeliers and a long mahogany table that could seat twenty. The air was thick with the scent of po

lled with amber liquid. The sight of it made my pulse quicken. It was a small, insignif

touch

glass. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-f

ca seemed warm and approachable. His easy smile and casual demeanor made him

I said, setting the

way with his arms crossed. "Relax, Elen

, unsure of what

conversational. "Still figuring

"Something

he said, his voice lowering slightly. "This house has a lot of rules. Some of them

ne, but I forced myself to remain

he doorway and flashing me anoth

ke the feeling that his warning w

sion was eerily quiet, the only sound the distant hum of the central air system. M

happened? Try to forget the way Adrian had looke

corner and nearly collided w

le

ep, commanding voice sent a jolt of

, stepping back quickl

dim light from the wall sconces cast shadows across hi

wandering around at

admitted, clutching

he spoke again. "You should be careful," he

ed by his words.

he was only a foot away. His presence was overwh

he said quietly. "This world..

said before I could stop

s eyes remained guarded. "Then keep your he

alked away, leaving me alo

name was written on it in neat, precise handwriting, and inside wa

in the library. Be c

, trying to make sense of it. Who had w

n seemed to close in around me. I had stepped into something fa

t into my pocket, vowing to keep

I knew it would

dozen times, the words blur

in the library. Be c

one

eed to leave anonymous warnings; he'd confront me directly if he suspected anything. Was it Luca? The

conclusion: someone else

owed? Watched? The staff avoided Adrian's private spaces unless absolutely necessary, which

my duties. The mansion, with its endless corridors and watchful silence, felt suffocating. E

al dinner Adrian was hosting, I found myself i

ancing at me with concern.

sleep well

ll get used to the hours. This

where. The note burned in my pocket

e, the kitchen door swung open, and Luca s

t the group of us. "Everythi

y head down, hoping to avoid his

one light but deliberate. "

, but I forced a smile and f

pockets, and studied me with an intensity t

appear indifferent.

esterday? Or the day before that? You've be

hest. Was he testing me? Did he know

hat you mean,"

me advice, Elena. You're new here, which means people are watching you-mor

ine, but I kept my expression neu

t there was no warmth

er, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "But if I were you, I'd k

nt, but he was already walking away,

uldn't stop replaying

hing you. Keep

ian, but he was Adrian's second-in-command. And if he knew an

ning ragged serving drinks and clearing plates. I did my best to stay out of Adrian's line of sigh

ovement he made was deliberate and controlled. The men around him hung on his

el it in the way the men glanced at each other, in the

as refilling wine glasses when Adr

le

pping in my grip. Slowl

s,

le. "Bring me a glass of the

ateful for the chanc

d wine. I found the bottle Adrian had requested and was about to leave when so

ar. I hesitated, glancing over my shoulder to ma

. My heart raced as I descended, the dim light giving way to shadows. At

her ledger, identical to the o

iately and pretend I hadn't seen it. But my hands moved

e, I noticed something else-a series of initials written in the

Rom

Panic surged through me as I shoved the ledger back onto the

onto mine the moment I entered. I set the bottle down in

his voice calm but laced wi

ught Luca watching me, h

he ledger.

in, but I knew one thing for certain:

the only one I nee