CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY – OLD FAMILY FRIENDS

As they followed Maxwell up a winding path, Cassie leaned close to Florian. "He seems... friendly." Florian chuckled softly. "Maxwell's bark is worse than his bite. Usually." The path opened up to reveal a sprawling estate, its stone walls covered in ivy. Cassie's jaw dropped. "This is where we're staying?" she gasped. Maxwell turned, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Welcome to Lupul Adormit. The Sleeping Wolf." Inside, the estate was a maze of richly decorated rooms and long corridors. Maxwell showed them to their quarters, a spacious suite with a four-poster bed and antique furnishings. "Get settled," he said. "We'll talk more over dinner." As the door closed behind him, Cassie collapsed onto the bed. "Florian, what have we gotten ourselves into?" Florian sat beside her, pulling her close. "I know it's a lot to take in, but we're safe here. Maxwell may seem gruff, but he's a good man. And an old friend of the family." Cassie raised an eyebrow. "Old friend? He doesn't seem that.