Penny blinked, startled. Darius never asked for help—especially not from her.
"With what?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
He glanced around, eyes scanning the perimeter, making sure no one was within earshot. Then, lowering his voice, he said, "The Stefford estate. There's something still buried in that place. Not just metaphorically. I mean literally."
Her stomach tensed, a cold ripple running down her spine. The way he said it—like the estate itself still breathed darkness—sent a chill through her.
Her thoughts spun.
Does he think I'm some kind of tool? A spy he can send in to do his digging?
She crossed her arms instinctively, watching him with narrowed eyes. "And you want me to be what? Your little scout? Dig up skeletons you don't want the others to see?"
Darius tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Aren't you already skilled at that? Maybe you can help distract those skeletons—just like you did with the guard."
