The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing the tip of a tooth too sharp to be human.
“I see that Vexley and the Renegade are changing tactics. I was getting bored with the assassins lining up at my door. So, what’s your mission? To seduce me into giving away all my secrets?” he asked, his eyes amused.
My lip trembled. My cover was blown. He knew why I was here. And yet, I was still alive.
“At a loss for words, much? I saw you at St. Dismas...” he paused, his dark brows knotting.
What? How?
“I see that you’ve lost your ability to speak. Well, if you need me, I’ll be in my study. I suggest you spend the night here before returning to your masters.”
“And you’ll… let me go?”
“What do you expect? Should I chain you and keep you around?” He shrugged, pushed past me and opened the door.
What the hell was that?
I met the monster of Duskmere Manor and survived. He didn’t tear me apart like Alice predicted. And he was letting me go.
I buried my trembling hands deep in my pockets. Think, Daphne. Think.
When the melancholic sound of the violin spilled again through the corridors, I took a deep, calming breath.
This was my chance.
I’d steal as many papers as I could and run. Hopefully, there’d be something valuable among all these letters.
I rushed to the desk, my bare heels slapping against the floorboards. Postcards, letters—whatever I could grab. I cleared the desk, stuffing the papers into my pockets and corset. Then, I crept toward the entrance, sneaking along the corridor like a shadow.
It was empty.
I threw one last look over my shoulder and headed to the door.
Vexley and the Renegade had said their people were constantly monitoring the manor.
Time to test that.
To my surprise, the door was unlocked.
It swung open without a sound, and I stepped into the night.
The cold hit me like a slap; the crisp air bit at my exposed skin as lonely snowflakes danced in the air.
The fog had retreated, lingering only at the edges of the forest like a beast reluctant to leave.
No sign of the dark figures from my arrival.
My breath curled into a white huff, and I closed the door behind me, muffling the tender adagio of the violin.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I took a decisive step into the gloom beyond the lantern light at the entrance.
“There are no demons, Daphne. It’s only your imagination.”
Mother always said I had a vivid one.
For some unknown reason, the sound of my voice was oddly calming.
The manor lights dimmed behind me, shrinking into the night.
