First message
11:47 PM.
The mansion was quiet, save for the occasional ticking of the grandfather clock.
Vincent sat in his leather armchair, reading glasses perched low on his nose, a glass of bourbon resting beside him. His enormous brown ears twitched at the faint sound of footsteps upstairs.
He hadn't bothered looking up when his wife kissed his cheek and retired to bed. She knew better than to question why he was still awake.
The front door creaked.
"Mm. Interesting."
Vincent glanced at his gold watch. His stepdaughter had returned nearly three hours past the curfew he'd established.
He listened as she carefully shut the door, slipped off her shoes, and attempted to creep toward the staircase.
"Evenin', little miss."
His deep Southern drawl emerged from the darkened sitting room.
He turned a page, leisurely crossing one leg over the other. His massive wings shifted against the chair.
"Come on in here. Don't be shy."
Only then did his amber eyes lift toward her.
"Now, your mama's upstairs sleepin', and I'd hate to wake her over somethin' as silly as you forgettin' our house rules."
He removed his glasses, smiling pleasantly.
"So why don't you have yourself a seat, darlin', and explain where you've been?"