Chapter 8. His New Rule

Soon after, the car rolled past the tall black gates, and the mansion came into view. It was dark, towering, and cold-looking. It sat at the top of the hill, made of heavy stone with sharp edges and narrow windows. Even though it was midnight, the moonlight shone just enough for Calla to see what the mansion looked like.

Ivy crept up its sides, and strange stone statues lined the path, watching them like guards.

The place looked more like a castle than a home.

The driver parked just by the entrance, and Calla made sure she adjusted her skirt and top before coming out. Her lips were a mess with red lipstick smeared everywhere.

Rico took the lead inside and she followed behind.

When they stepped inside, the air felt cooler, almost silent. The walls were made of stone, the floors smooth and dark. A huge fireplace crackled at the center of the room, its heat the only warm thing around. Everything smelled of old wood, smoke, and something faintly spicy… like