The mansion felt colder than ever that evening. Even the chandeliers seemed to cast longer shadows, as if they were warning me of something unseen.
I was just about to head to my room when the front door opened. A figure stepped inside — tall, cloaked, and silent.
"Who… who is that?" I whispered to myself, my heart hammering.
Ethan appeared behind me without a sound, his expression unreadable. "Do not approach them," he said, his voice low and sharp.
The stranger's eyes scanned the grand hall, lingering on me for a long moment. Then, without a word, they handed Ethan a folded piece of paper and left as quietly as they had arrived.
I wanted to move, to ask questions, but Ethan's gaze pinned me in place.
"What… what did they want?" I asked, voice trembling.
Ethan unfolded the note, scanning it quickly. His jaw tightened, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of worry in his eyes.
"It's… complicated," he muttered. "You don't need to know everything yet."
I bit my lip, unsure if I should press further. But something about that stranger — about the note — made my instincts scream.
I couldn't shake the feeling that the mansion held secrets far darker than I had imagined, and now… someone was watching me more closely than ever.