Crimson contract

od at its center, every nerve thrumming beneath her silk blouse. She had spent the

want t

And deep down, she didn'

d. The walls shimmered black like obsidian, and a sculpture of twisting silver metal

e, until she stood before the dark oak doors of the

expected to

e door

his elbows, tie loosened like he'd just stepped out of a war. Hi

ice smooth like velvet o

s a time," she replied,

ways is.

over a city that never looked back. Shelves lined with books in languag

her to sit. She did. Then he stared at her for

ong in admin w

use

nd's too...chaotic. Too clean. It l

ned. "And yet you

urious about what you

accuse. It invi

nough. "What if I told you

not into a smile, but

g place," he said. "Beca

. Desire? Fear? It didn't ma

hat she craved - and exac