The study door creaked open slowly, the sound slicing through the darkness like a blade.
Rhea pressed herself against the desk, her heart pounding against her ribs so violently it hurt.
A silhouette filled the doorway.
Tall.
Still.
Watching her.
Rhea couldn't breathe.
"Who's there?" Her voice shook despite her attempt to sound strong.
The figure stepped forward once—into the faint slice of moonlight slipping from the window.
Not Adrian.
Not a servant.
A stranger.
He wore all black, a cap pulled low, and something metallic glinted in his hand.
Rhea's blood ran cold.
She scanned the room desperately—no weapon, no escape, nothing except the heavy lamp beside Adrian's desk.
The intruder took another step.
"You should've stayed in your room, Mrs. Knight," he said, voice low and confident, as if he knew the house better than she did.
Rhea's fingers brushed the base of the lamp.
She grabbed it.
The man reacted instantly.
He lunged.
Rhea swung the lamp with all her strength—
A loud crash exploded through the room.
The intruder grunted, stumbling but not falling.
Rhea bolted for the hallway.
Her feet slapped against the wooden floor as she ran, darkness swallowing her from every side.
Behind her—quick, heavy footsteps.
"Stop running!" He barked.
Never.
Rhea turned sharply toward the main staircase—but the mansion, without lights, was a maze.
Halfway down, her heel slipped on a step.
She grabbed the railing just in time.
But the man grabbed her hair from behind.
Rhea screamed.
"Let go!" She cried, clawing at his hand.
He yanked her backward—
But suddenly—
A gunshot ripped through the air.
The man jerked—
His grip loosened—
He collapsed onto the stairs with a thud.
Rhea froze.
Chest heaving.
Hands shaking.
Ears ringing from the blast.
Another figure stood at the top of the stairs.
A tall shadow.
Holding a smoking gun.
Her breath hitched.
"Adrian…?" she whispered.
The figure descended the stairs slowly, each step echoing with cold authority.
Moonlight finally revealed his face.
Not Adrian.
Her eyes widened.
Lucian Knight.
Adrian's older brother.
He tucked the gun into the back of his coat as if he had just folded a napkin.
"Are you hurt?" he asked calmly, as though killing a man was routine for him.
Rhea shook her head, still trembling. "Who… who was he?"
Lucian scanned the unconscious man.
"A hired shadow. Sent to deliver a message."
Her voice cracked. "Where is Adrian? Do you know?"
Lucian's jaw tensed.
For the first time, something like worry flashed in his eyes—quick but real.
"That's why I'm here," he said quietly.
"There's been an attack on the Knight convoy downtown."
Rhea's heart stopped.
"Adrian was ambushed?"
Lucian's eyes met hers.
"Yes. And right now, no one knows if he's alive."
The world around her blurred.
Rhea's knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the stairs.
Lucian stepped closer, his voice low and steady.
"Get up, Rhea. If they were after him… they will come for you again."
He glanced toward the shattered study door.
"And next time, I may not get here in time."
Rhea swallowed hard, forcing herself to stand.
Fear twisted in her chest—but there was something stronger underneath it.
Determination.
"Take me to him," she whispered.
Lucian paused.
His cold expression softened by a fraction.
"You're braver than Adrian said."
Rhea stiffened.
Adrian talked about her… to him?
Lucian turned toward the mansion exit.
"Come. We leave now. Before the rest of the hunters arrive."
Hunters.
Plural.
Rhea followed him into the night, unaware that Chapter 39 would be the last time she saw the mansion intact.
Because the storm was just beginning.