With a frown of worry on her forehead, Lara bowed to him.

Marcus smoothed the crease on her forehead and said, "It's nothing. Don't worry so much. Take care of yourself, and I will be right back."

With a sigh, she walked inside, and Marcus closed it behind her. Now that he had safely hidden her away, he could leave his room in peace.

The stairway was shrouded in darkness. Lara got scared as moved down the stairs, trying to get her eyes to adjust and see through the darkness to find a handrail, but there was none. She was flustered that he had left her without a candle. Did...