He was tall, lean, with dark circles under his eyes that suggested he hadn't slept properly in years. A black mask hung loose around his neck, an inch away from covering his face.

He turned without checking if she followed, his boots crunching against the gravel. The mansion's interior swallowed them both—a cavernous hall of dark wood, flickering sconces, and portraits that seemed to watch her every step.

He paused at the base of a grand staircase, finally glancing over his shoulder.