No other houses stood in
sight, only a distant forest. Apart from tires grating on the gravel, it
was eerily quiet, too quiet for a hot summer afternoon.
Their rental sedan pulled into the motor court in front of the
mansion, joining a long line of cars. A sudden gust of wind washed
over Lilith's face. She expected it to smell like roses. Instead, it reeked
of rotten sweetness, of something decomposing. Lilith rolled up her
window.