Lisa’s POV
Lunch came faster than I expected.
I had spent most of the late morning pacing in my room, going over everything I had seen; Fenric healing that injured man like it was nothing, the strange tattoo, the painting of my dead parents, and the smile that never quite reached his eyes. My stomach was a mess of nerves, but I had to pretend I was fine.
Because I had a plan.
I needed to get into his room.
And for that, I needed the key.
“Are you ready for lunch?” Katherine called softly from the other side of my door.
I forced a steady breath and opened the door. “Yeah. Just give me a second.”
She smiled brightly and turned toward the dining room. I followed behind her, each step heavy with dread.
“You look a little better today,” she said. “Did you get some rest?”
“A little,” I lied. “Still not feeling great. But I didn’t want to be rude.”
“You’re never rude, Lisa. Honestly, you could stay in bed for a week and I would still bring you
food.”
I smiled tightly. She was too nice….too warm. It made my skin itch.
When we reached the dining room, Fenric was already seated at the head of the table. As always, he looked calm, polished, and unreadable.
“Good afternoon,” he said smoothly. “Feeling better?”
“A little,” I answered, taking the seat next to Katherine. I didn’t want to sit too close to him.
The food looked good. There was grilled fish, vegetables, and a salad with berries and nuts. A teapot sat near Fenric. There was steam curling from its spout.
“Try the tea,” Katherine said. “It’s rosehip and lavender. It really helps with nerves.”
I smiled politely and reached for a cup. But I wasn’t going to drink it. Not after this morning.
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Chapter 96
Claim
I glanced at Fenric. The key ring wasn’t on his belt today. I let my eyes sweep over the table. There was nothing obvious.
But then, as he leaned forward to serve himself some salad, I noticed something on the bench beside him. A leather wallet.
I felt my heart jump.
Could it be inside?
“Lisa?”
I looked up. Katherine was staring at me. There was a forkful of fish halfway to her mouth.
“Sorry, what?”
“I asked if you have ever been to the eastern gardens. There is this tree with silver bark. It looks magical.”
“Oh,” I said quickly. “No. I haven’t seen it.”
Fenric was watching me too now. His gaze lingered a bit too long. My hands started to
sweat.
You need a distraction, Sierra whispered. Something fast.
An idea sparked in my head. It was risky but it might work.
I reached for the teapot and pretended to pour it into my cup. Then, just as I pulled it back, I “accidentally” tipped it toward Fenric’s lap.
The tea splashed against his robe. He jerked up from his seat.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” I gasped, rising halfway from my chair. “I didn’t mean to….”
He brushed at his robe with a napkin. “It’s alright. No harm done.”
Katherine stood too. “Dad, do you want to go change?”
“Yes,” he said, his voice smooth as ever. “Excuse me a moment. Please go on without me.”
As he turned and walked away, I saw him leave the wallet right where it had been.
This was my chance.
But Katherine sat back down.
Think, Sierra hissed.
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< Chapter 96
I grabbed my spoon and let it fall near her chair. “Oops. Katherine, could you… I’m sorry, I think it rolled under your chair. Could you grab it for me?”
“Sure!”
She slid off her seat and knelt to look under the table.
Claim
My heart slammed in my chest. I reached across the table. I was trying hard to be quick. I popped the wallet open, spotted the brass key inside, and slipped it into my sleeve.
Katherine popped back up. She was holding the spoon. “Here you go!”
“Thanks,” I said with a small smile and slipped the spoon back onto the plate.
She didn’t notice a thing.
I tucked the wallet back exactly where it was. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.
Fenric returned a few minutes later. He was wearing a clean robe. He sat down like nothing had happened.
“Sorry about the delay.”
“No worries,” Katherine chirped. “Lisa kept me company.‘
“Did she?” Fenric said and glanced at me. His eyes lingered.
I tried to keep my expression neutral. Not too still. Not too twitchy.
He smiled faintly and poured himself more tea.
“I have a meeting this evening,” he said. “I won’t be back before dinner. Katherine, don’t wait for me. You and Lisa should eat together.”
“Sure,” Katherine said. “We’ll have a girls‘ night.”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
My stomach was still churning. I couldn’t taste the food. I barely touched my plate.
After lunch, we stood.
“Lisa,” Katherine said, “do you want a tour of the mansion? There are so many cool rooms. The library has a spiral staircase.”
“Oh, I would love that,” I said, then hesitated. “But… I still feel a little off. Maybe I should rest a
bit more.”
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Chapter 96
Katherine’s smile fell slightly. “Oh. Okay. Another time then?”
“Definitely.”
She nodded and walked down the hall toward the gardens.
I slipped back into the house.
My fingers brushed against the key in my pocket. It was cold, heavy and real.
This is it, I whispered.
Claim
Sierra was silent for a moment. Then she said softly, You need to be quick. If he comes back and finds you…
I know.
I crept through the hallway, keeping to the shadows. The mansion was quiet. The air felt thick.
I passed the paintings. The dark wood panels. The old grandfather clock that ticked too loudly.
Fenric’s room was at the far end of the hall. The door loomed ahead of me. It was tall and
carved.
Then I heard voices.
There were two guards talking near the hallway junction.
I ducked back around the corner. My breath caught in my throat.
“They’re just chatting,” Sierra whispered. “But they won’t stay long.”
I waited. My back pressed to the wall. Every second felt like a minute.
Finally, their footsteps faded away.
Now.
I rushed forward, pulled the key from my pocket, and slid it into the lock. It clicked.
I opened the door just enough to slip through, then shut it quietly behind me.
The room was dim. The curtains were drawn. The air smelled like old paper, wood polish, and something faintly herbal.
My fingers trembled.
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< Chapter 96
I was inside.
Fenric’s secrets were here.
I just had to find them.
Sierra? I whispered.
You’re not alone in this, she said. Be strong.
And I took my first step into the room.
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LUCK DRAW >
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