The Forbidden one

As soon as I uttered those words, Madame Lilith stood up, her movements fluid and graceful but with a predatory edge that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You should be careful, Mr...?" she began, her voice dripping with a dangerous calm.

"Hasington. Jesper Hasington," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Mr. Hasington. Be careful where you tread. There are forces at play here that you do not understand."

A chill ran down my spine. The room seemed to darken, shadows stretching and twisting unnaturally. I felt the weight of unseen eyes upon me, the air growing thick with a palpable sense of dread.

"Mr. Churchill is not someone you want to cross," Madame Lilith continued, her voice a low, velvety whisper that made my skin crawl. "His dealings are with matters so... dark, even the four churches called him - The Forbidden. He weaves darkness into the very fabric of reality, something you or I can't even begin to understand. Jasmine's fate was sealed the moment she caught his eye."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. This wasn't how I'd imagined things would go, but I couldn't back down now. I had to know the truth.

"What exactly happened to Jasmine?" I pressed, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Madame Lilith's gaze pierced me, her eyes like twin pools of darkness. "Jasmine was sacrificed, her life force drained to fuel his dark rituals. She was an offering to powers beyond your comprehension. Her spirit lingers, restless and vengeful, bound by the very forces that claimed her."

My heart pounded in my chest. The image of Jasmine's red eyes staring back at me through the keyhole flashed in my mind. I could feel the weight of her spirit's anguish, the echo of her torment.

"You saw her, didn't you?" Madame Lilith said with a wide smile, her voice echoing in the oppressive silence. "Be careful, Mr. Hasington. The darkness is watching, waiting for the moment to claim us all."

As she spoke, Lilith moved closer, her movements almost hypnotic. The room seemed to contract around us, shadows deepening, the air growing thick and heavy. Her eyes, now impossibly dark, never left mine. I felt a chill run down my spine, my heart racing.

Lilith's hand reached out and gently traced the line of my cheek. Her touch was cold, almost unnaturally so, sending a shiver through me. I felt a strange mix of fear and fascination, my skin tingling under her touch. Her fingers were slender and elegant, yet there was an underlying strength in her grip.

"You're a good-looking man, Mr. Hasington," she murmured, her voice a seductive whisper that seemed to wrap around my senses. "Hansome enough for me to entertain you for a while. But one thing you aren't is a man working for Rosaline Obel. There's no way she wouldn't warn her man about that devil of a man."

Her hand moved from my cheek like a whip, and before I could react, she grabbed my throat. Her grip was like iron, strong and unyielding, her fingers curling around my neck like a snake. My breath caught in my throat, my pulse racing wildly beneath her cold touch. I tried to stay composed, but panic surged within me.

The room seemed to close in, the shadows whispering ominously as Lilith's grip tightened. I could feel her strength, her power, and I knew I was at her mercy. Fear coursed through me, but I forced myself to meet her gaze, to show no weakness.

Lilith's eyes bore into mine, her expression unreadable. "Tell me the truth, Jesper Hasington," she demanded, her voice now devoid of any warmth. "Why are you really here?"

I struggled to speak, my voice choked by her grip. I could feel the panic rising within me, but I fought to keep my wits about. "I'm here... to find out... what happened to Jasmine," I gasped for breath, my voice strained.

One of Lilith's men approached and whispered something in her ear. He soon retreated, and Lilith focused back on me, her grip unyielding. I felt a strange, overwhelming sensation, akin to what I'd experienced with the gray-eyed man at the cafeteria, but more intense. I had to make her believe me, had to find a way to survive this encounter.

"Rosaline... didn't send me here but I work for her. I'm just here to find answers," I continued, my voice barely a whisper. "I'm not lying... please."

For a moment, Lilith remained still, her grip like a vise around my throat. Then, slowly, she released me, her hand withdrawing as if she had never touched me at all. I gasped for air, my body trembling with the aftershock of fear.

"Very well," Lilith said, her voice cold and measured. "But remember this, Jesper Hasington: tread carefully. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into by mere mention of that man."

I nodded, my mind racing as I tried to process what had just happened. I knew I was in deep and needed to comply for now.

I gasped for air again, trying to calm myself as Lilith's dark eyes remained fixed on me. Her voice was a cold whisper that sent chills down my spine.

"Since my man's divination says you are indeed associated with her somehow, I can't risk killing you," she said, her tone devoid of emotion. "But make no mistake, Jesper Hasington, next time, her name won't save you."

Her words hung in the air like a death sentence, their implications clear and undeniable. Did she just say "divination"? I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead, the fear coursing through me like icy tendrils. The room seemed to darken further, the shadows growing thicker and more oppressive.

"Be gone, and don't ever set foot in here again," she continued, her voice now a low, menacing growl. "You will regret crossing me, if you did."

Her hand, still cold and unyielding, released its grip on my throat completely. I stumbled back, my legs barely able to support me as I tried to regain my balance. My heart pounded, each beat echoing in my ears like a drum.

I looked into Lilith's eyes, seeing the predator lurking behind those dark depths. The fear was almost overwhelming, but I forced myself to stand tall, to show no weakness. I knew I was in over my head, but there was no turning back now.

With a final, piercing glance, Madame Lilith turned away, her movements as fluid and graceful as a serpent. The room seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as she retreated, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly.

I took a deep breath, my mind reeling from the encounter. I knew I had narrowly escaped with my life, but the warning was clear. Lilith, mistress of Joll's Paradise, was not someone to be trifled with, and I had to tread carefully.

As I left her office, my thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and determination. I couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. The truth about Jasmine, about Mr. Churchill, about everything—I had to find it, but I had to be smart about it.

"At least now I know it wasn't really suicide and that Mr. Churchill was behind it," I thought, still tracing my neck with my fingers where Lilith had clutched it.

"What does she mean, sacrifice for a ritual?" I wondered as I walked through the dimly lit corridors of Joll's Paradise. I knew what it meant, of course. But the very idea of sacrificing someone to evil entities sent a chill down my spine. The weight of Lilith's warning was heavy on my shoulders. The atmosphere inside was thick with tension and intrigue, but I forced myself to focus on my goal. I couldn't let fear paralyze me.

Once outside, the cool night air hit my face, and I took a moment to steady myself. The darkness seemed less oppressive out here, the stars twinkling faintly in the sky. I knew I had to find a way to uncover the truth, but I also knew I had to be careful. Lilith's words echoed in my mind, a constant reminder to stay clear of this place.

As I walked away from Joll's Paradise, I resolved to continue my investigation with caution. The stakes were higher than ever, and I couldn't afford to make any more missteps. I had to find answers, but I had to do it without attracting any more unwanted attention.

With a final glance back at the building, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. The journey was far from over, and I knew the path would be fraught with danger. But I was determined to see it through—I had no other choice.

As I made my way back to the library, my mind raced with the events that had just transpired. Madame Lilith's words echoed in my head, a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. The encounter had shaken me, but it had also steeled my resolve. I had to find out the truth, no matter the cost. Yet, fear gnawed at me, whispering doubts and warnings.

The library loomed ahead, a comforting sight amidst the turmoil of my thoughts. However, as I approached, my steps faltered. A small, luxurious carriage was parked outside. When I entered, a muscular, burly man stood guard at the entrance to my accommodation. His presence was unmistakable, a silent sentinel exuding menace.

I gulped, my heart pounding. I got the gist immediately—this was not a social call. The guard's glare bore into me, a silent warning. He stepped aside with a grudging nod, allowing me to pass. The tension was palpable, each step towards my room heavy with unease.

My room was small but cozy, a haven within the labyrinthine library. The wooden furniture was simple but functional—a bed, a desk cluttered with papers, and a wardrobe that had seen better days. The faint scent of old books lingered in the air, a comforting familiarity.

But as I entered, my eyes were drawn to the bed. Sitting there, composed and enigmatic, was Rosaline Obel. My breath hitched, and I couldn't suppress the mental curse that echoed through my mind.

"Curses," I thought, my mind a chaotic whirl. "What is she doing here?"