The library maze(2)

The moment she stepped into the hallway, she realized her mistake.

The estate was vast, far vaster than she had anticipated. Every corridor stretched long and winding, the walls adorned with with towering oil paintings of past lords and ladies, their gazes hollow and piercing.

She walked briskly, her fingers gripping the edges of her apron as she tried to recall the instructions. "Right wing staircase, past the grand gallery."

The right wing staircase was easy enough to find. She ascended, the deep red carpet muffling her footsteps. At the top, she turned into a corridor lined with tall windows, the early morning light filtering through the sheer curtains.

The grand gallery came into view_ A massive hall lined with statues and golden framed mirrors. She passed through, searching for the next landmark. "Follow the corridor.."

But when she reached the end, she frowned.

Two identical hallways stretched before her, both leading into the unknown. Her heart sank.

"Which way?!"

She glanced back, hoping to see someone - Anyone - who might guid her, but the hall remained empty. The servants were likely busy ith their morning duties elsewhere.

Taking a breath, she chose the left corridor, hoping for the best.

The moment she realized where she was, her breath hitched.

This was not the library.

This was the residential wing.

The hall was different from the others that she had passed throuh_ More opulent, more private. The walls were lined with rich, dark wallpaper adorned with intricate silver patterns. The scones burned lower here, casting elongated shadows across the polished floors. Tall doors with silver in- laid frames stood evenly spaced, each bearing a crest that hinted at the occupant within.

A place she most certainly should not be.

Panic gripped her chest like a vice. "How did I even end up here?"

Her feet moved before she could think, pivoting swiftly in an attempt to retrace her steps. But the moment she turned, a voice. Smooth and edged with quiet danger broke the silence.

"Going somewhere?"

Larissa stiffened.

The air shifted behind her, thickening with an undeniable presence. Her fingers curled into the fabric of the apron as she turned back around, slow and careful, like prey sensing the predator's approach.

And the he stood.

The dark haired vampire. The one she had witnessed killing people.

He leaned casually against the wall a few steps away, his arms crossed over his chest. A ray of sunlight caught the sharp angles of his face - the cold beauty of his features made all the more intimidating by the utter blankness of his midnight eyes. If he recognized her from that night, he did not show it .

Or perhaps, he simply didn't care.

His gaze travelled over her, assessing, dissecting, before settling on her face with quiet amusement. "I don't recall the servants having business in this part of the mansion."

Larissa swallowed, forcing herself to meet his eyes despite the dread curling in her stomach. She knew she had to tread carefully. One wrong word, one misstep, and she could very well end up on the wrong side of the vampire's temper.

"I.. got lost." She admitted, her voice even despite the anxiety prickling at her skin. " Senior Hamilton sent me to the library, but I must have taken the wrong turn."

The vampire's lips twitched at the corners, not quite a smile, but something dangerously close to mockery.

"Lost?" He echoed, tilting his head. His raven hair fell slightly on to his face, but his piercing gaze never wavered. "How very convenient. A new servant just happens to wander into the private quarters of the family?"

Larissa's pulse pounded, but she refused to cower. "I am telling the truth." She said firmly.

The young man exhaled a soft, mirthless chuckle. Pushing off the wall. The lazy ease of his movements did little to mask the inherent danger on his presence, like a beast stretching it's claws before striking.

"You must be utterly careless." He mused, his tone dripping with condescension. "Do you know what happens to trespassers here?"

Larissa held her ground, though every instinct screamed at her to step back. She refused to show weakness. "I didn't mean to tresspass." She said steadily. "It was a mistake."

"A mistake?" He repeated the word as if it amused him. Then without a warning, he moved.

Too fast.

Before she could react, he was suddenly closer, invading her space, his presence suffocating. His scent- something dark, rich and intoxicating wrapped around her like a phantom grip. His gaze bore onto hers, sharp and unrelenting, like a dagger pressing against her throat without ever making contact.

"Let me give you a piece of advice, servant." He murmured, his voice dropping to something quiet, something threatening. "There are places in this house where a little human like you should never step. Even by mistake. You wouldn't want to find yourself in the wrong room, would you?"

Larissa's hands trembled slightly at her sides, but she forced herself to remain impassive.

"I understand." She said, her tone betraying her.

" The vampire's gaze flickered with something unreadable, as though he had expected that reaction from her. Then, just as quickly, that knowing smirk returned.

"Hm." He hummed, stepping back, though the air between them remained charged.

His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he finally looked away, his posture exuding effortless disinterest. "The library is down the hall." He drawled lazily, gesturing vaguely to his left. "If you actually intended to find it."

With those words, Larissa bolted away from there. Forgetting to even murmur a word of thanks. While she picked up her pace, Raphael just watched her until she disappeared into the shadows of the corridors.