Caelan stood motionless on the balcony, his hands resting on the cold stone railing.
The rain had stopped.
Only the sound of dripping water echoed through the gardens.
"You shouldn't be here," Caelan said quietly.
A figure emerged from the darkness.
His face remained hidden beneath the hood of a long black coat.
"And yet... here I am."
Caelan didn't turn around.
"I warned you never to come to Ashford Manor."
The stranger folded his arms.
"You have bigger problems than me."
A long silence settled between them.
Finally, the stranger spoke again.
"They're beginning to ask questions."
Caelan's jaw tightened.
"I'll handle it."
"No."
The stranger took another step forward.
"You won't."
"They'll find her sooner or later."
Caelan's expression darkened.
"They won't."
The stran
