Pearl POV
The long corridor stretched into silence as the oil lamps flickered slightly then suddenly, the doors to the Moon Mansion opened.
A strange hush fell over everyone in the hallway. The maids, every one of them instinctively stepped to the side, lowering their heads, folding their hands, and bowing deeply. The air turned heavier, tighter.
I followed suit, dropping my gaze and bowing low, just as I'd seen the others do. My heart, however, thundered in my chest like a warning drum.
Boots tapped against the marble floor steady, commanding, almost predatory.
From beneath my veil, I dared to lift my eyes just a fraction.
A man had entered, his presence like the hush of a blade before it strikes. He wore a deep wine red cloak trimmed in black, its fabric trailing behind him like sh
