Pain shot through Catherine’s body as she stirred, the cold, damp floor pressing against her cheek. A dull ache throbbed in her ankle, and she winced as she pushed herself upright, her fingers brushing against the rough stone beneath her. The air was thick and stale, carrying a metallic tang that made her stomach turn.
For a long moment, she simply breathed, forcing herself to stay calm. She had fallen—hard—but she was still alive. That was something.
The darkness around her was absolute, swallowing every shape and shadow. Slowly, she reached out, her hands brushing against the uneven walls. A chamber. A hidden space beneath the mansion. Her pulse quickened.
Lucius.
Had he seen her fall? Would he come for her?
Catherine clenched her jaw, suppressing the flicker of doubt creeping into
