A beat later, I turned to Alana, eager to explore the big-ass mansion and see where I’d be laying my head for the foreseeable future.

“Okay, spill it. How many ghosts y’all got haunting this place.”

Alana giggled, her cheeks crunching up into rosy balls. “No ghosts, promise.”

“I don’t know.” I wagged my head. “This looks like the sort of place a ghost with good sense would set up shop.”

“Well, if there are any, they’ve kept pretty much to themselves.”

“Hmph,” I grunted, walking in half circles as my gaze swept over the high walls and vaulted ceilings gilded in gold and ivory. “So, Alana, what can a girl do for fun around here?”

“Plenty.

In the time it took her to walk me from the foyer to my suite, I learned Alana was nineteen, an orphan and became a charge of the Knight’s estate at six. The Head Housekeeper, Maude raised her and five other charges of the estate.

Don’t ask. I keep telling myself this was rich people shit I have no business feeling one way or the other about.

She seemed happy, proud even to be my companion.

Actually, her exact words were, “Thank you for accepting me as your companion. It’s both a privilege and an honour to serve you.”

I grunted in response, less than enthusiastic, and at the time, wholly ignorant of her significance in my life. I didn’t begrudge her. Though maybe I should. At nineteen, she spoke three different languages, had completed her post-grad education, was gainfully employed and happy with the trajectory of her life.

Whereas I was an unemployed, college dropout.

Yeah, I needed to get my shit together. Money was no longer the problem, at least it won’t be when I get through with Papa Knight. I intended to apply for readmission. Until then I planned on spending time with the old man and have a little fun while getting to know him.

Alana and I entered the west wing. We were getting on swimmingly, comparing our likes and dislikes when a bony, dark-haired girl with pale skin appeared in the archway ahead of us.

“Devine?” Alana’s brows dipped into a deep frown. “What are you doing here?”

The girl’s gaze bounced around the cavernous rotunda, never once meeting Alana’s pointed glare.

“You shouldn’t be here.” My companion insisted.

The other woman remained silent.

Alana huffed. “Master will hear of this.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but the girl paled. Her gaze dropped to the floor, but not before I caught the glint of tears in her eyes.

“Sorry,” she muttered and fled.

I turned, following her fleeing back. “Who was that?”

“Calista’s companion.” Alana’s frown turned to an angry scowl. “It’s a good thing I remembered to lock the doors to your quarters.”

“Wait, you think she came to spy on me?”

“That or she got lost finding her way clear to the other end of the mansion.”

Umph. I nodded. “It looks like sis and I are going to have another talk.”

“I heard you cut her.” Alana snickered.

“I did,” I said proudly, following across the rotunda to a set of tall double doors.

She paused. “Be careful. Calista is vindictive. But it’s her mother you should fear. That is one woman whose bad side you don’t want to be on.”