Chapter 30 Into The Lion's Den

• "Gideon's smile was sharper than his teeth."
• The Wicke estate loomed before me like a monument to power and old money, its Gothic silhouette cutting against the darkening sky. Tall iron gates swung open without a sound, the metal glinting beneath wrought-iron lanterns that cast dancing shadows across the entrance. The craftsmanship was exquisite-each bar twisted into elegant spirals, topped with spearheads that gleamed like fangs.
• Beyond the gates, the drive stretched long and winding through manicured grounds that spoke of generations of wealth. Black marble statues lined the path like silent sentinels-wolves caught mid-howl, their stone eyes seeming to track our movement through the carriage windows. Each sculpture was a masterpiece of artistry and intimidation, designed to remind visitors exactly whose territory they were entering.