Lisa leaned against the mansion's grand entrance, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she tried to calm her racing heart. The vial in her pocket felt like it was burning a hole through her coat, a heavy reminder of the perilous task ahead. She had the antidote, or at least part of it, but the danger was far from over.
She scanned the grounds, her eyes searching for any sign of movement. The night was still, the only sound the distant rustling of leaves. Whoever had approached the greenhouse hadn’t followed her—or at least, not that she could tell. But the sense of unease lingered, making her feel as though she was being watched.
Steeling herself, Lisa slipped back into the mansion. The corridors were dark and silent, the grand chandeliers overhead casting faint pools of light on the poli
