Empire of Seduction

ghter seemed to fade into the background as she focused on the task at hand. She spotted a man standing n

gaze piercing through the crowd like a dagger. Before she c

oice dripping with false concern like honey p

. "Nothing I can't handle," she repli

linting with malice. "Good. It would be

spot where the man in the golden cloak had been stan

rial gardens, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the gala. The

ing her frazzled nerves. But as she walked deeper into the gardens,

alone," a voice said from t

y to find Karen stepping out from behind a

what?" she asked, her t

"Merely ensuring your safety," he repli

you always make a habit of lurking in the da

nt of danger. "Only when the dark hides interes

golden serpent'... do you know what it me

I was hoping you'd tell me," she sa

cord... a network of assassins and spies who operate within the

r. "So what made you think someone is after me? And wha

arning. "Trust no one," he whispered, his voice barely

nto the shadows, leaving Alexa alone a

mplications of Karen's words. Trust no one. Not even him. W

't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The shado

ddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She sp

ens were empty, the only sound the d

art. She was just being paranoid. But as she turned to

f black silk. Alexa's instincts screamed at her

. She just watched Alexa, her eyes

Who was this woman?

ed into thin air, leaving

he feeling that she was in grave danger. The shadows seemed

truth, no matter what it took. She w

sound of laughter and music. But she knew that b