Rain
The car tires crunched on the gravel as we pulled up to the main gate of the mansion. My heart was already thumping against my ribs like a trapped bird. Usually, the guards would stand tall, salute, and open the gate with a nod. Not today.
This place was calm. Not that it always made me want to worry, but this time was different. This was the kind of calm that was almost eerie. Ringing bells of trouble.
"Look," River whispered. His voice was thin.
I looked.
And my stomach turned over. Right at the entrance, three of our best guards were slumped against the stone wall. Their necks were twisted at angles that weren't natural. Lifeless.
Fuck!
We drove further in, toward the inner courtyard. Four more men were sprawled across the grass. Seven dead. Just like that. No alarm. No stru
