Without hesitation, Linus moved toward the wall, positioning himself silently. In one fluid motion, he began to climb, his movements swift and controlled. He hoisted himself onto the narrow ledge above the door, making no sound as he perched there and strained to listen in on the conversation below.

Mara, however, signaled to him, motioning that she wanted to join him. Linus hesitated briefly, but with a resigned nod, he extended his hand to pull her up. As he grasped her, he felt the soft fabric of her gown and the warmth of her skin guiding her carefully onto the ledge. His fingers brushed against her waist, and though it was brief, the contact sent a jolt through him.

The ledge was narrow, and the two of them were forced into close proximity, their bodies nearly pressed against one another as they balanced precariously on the thin surface. Linus could feel Mara's breath against his neck, and the scent of her perfume filled the small space. It was intoxicating, a distraction he didn't need, but one that was impossible to ignore in the moment.

As they crouched there, trying to remain silent, Linus's attention wavered between the conversation inside the room and Mara's presence beside him. Her closeness was palpable, her movements subtle yet felt in every shift. His hand, still resting on her waist, brushed lightly against the curve of her body as they adjusted their positions. It was almost imperceptible, but the thrill of the touch was undeniable.

Forcing his focus back to the task, Linus strained to hear the voices below. The mayor's trembling voice filtered through the thin walls, his words filled with fear. "I told you everything I know," Vancourt stammered. "I swear, I've done nothing but cooperate."

One of the men responded, his tone cold and menacing. "Cooperation is expected, mayor. But we need results. The recent events have put us all on edge, and your lack of control over this town is unacceptable."

The second man chimed in, his voice equally threatening. "We've been looking for it for months, and your inability to find it is causing problems. It looks like you're losing your grip, mayor. You know we cannot afford that."

The mayor's voice trembled with desperation. "I'm doing everything I can. These things take time. It's been lost for centuries. Please, just give me a little more time."

Linus and Mara exchanged a quick, sharp glance. Their suspicions were confirmed: the men were searching for something specific. But the conversation had yet to reveal who these men were or what they were after.

"Time is running out, Mayor," one of the men said, his voice dripping with impatience and threat. "If you can't deliver, we'll take matters into our own hands. And trust me, you don't want that."

The mayor's response was barely a whisper, filled with desperation. "Understood. I'll find it. I promise."

The men seemed satisfied with their intimidation, their final words hanging ominously in the air as their conversation came to an abrupt close. Linus and Mara exchanged a tense look, their breaths held as they waited for the next move. They remained pressed against the narrow ledge, listening intently for any sign of the men or the mayor leaving the room.

The mayor's voice, quivering and hardly discernible, shattered the silence. "I... I'll do whatever it takes. You have my word."

The sound of footsteps followed, deliberate and slow. Linus stiffened, signaling to Mara with a subtle nod to stay still. They could hear the mayor and the two men moving toward the door, their shoes scuffing against the stone floor.

The door creaked open, and they saw the two men leave first, soon followed by the mayor. He glanced at Mara, her gaze locked on the door beneath them, both of them holding their breath. They couldn't afford to be seen—not now.

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Linus and Mara waited a few heartbeats longer, their senses heightened, before carefully shifting to climb down. Just as Linus moved to jump, they heard something that made his blood freeze: footsteps—again, but from the opposite direction.

His eyes darted to Mara. The footsteps were closing in, and with the corridor narrowing, their chances of being seen were dangerously high. They had to act fast.

Without a word, Linus motioned for Mara to get down quickly. They both landed silently, but before they could move, the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. There was no time. Linus's mind raced as he scanned the surroundings for anything to aid them.

Without hesitation, he grabbed Mara's arm and pulled her toward the thick, heavy curtains that adorned the edge of the hallway. They ducked behind them, pressing themselves against the cold stone wall as the footsteps rounded the corner.

The fabric of the curtains barely concealed them, but it would have to do. The tension in the small space between them was palpable—every breath held, every slight movement careful not to disturb the curtain.

Linus's heart pounded in his chest as the footsteps came closer. Through the thin gap in the curtains, he saw the flicker of candlelight casting shadows on the floor. Someone was just on the other side.

Mara's breathing was shallow, her body pressed tightly against Linus's, but the thrill of the moment left no room for distraction. His focus was singular now: avoiding discovery.

The footsteps slowed, lingering just outside the room they had eavesdropped on. Linus risked a glance through the slit in the curtains. One of the men had returned, his head craning slightly as if he sensed something was amiss. Linus held his breath, watching the man's eyes sweep the area.

For an instant, it seemed as if time had halted.

The man lingered, his brow furrowed. Linus could feel Mara's tension beside him, every muscle in her body coiled as tightly as his.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the man turned away and began walking back down the corridor. Linus listened carefully, waiting for his retreating footsteps to fade completely.

A few seconds passed, and Linus exhaled slowly, cautiously pulling back the curtain just enough to peer out. The coast was clear.

The narrow hallway seemed longer than before as they navigated the shadows, trying to avoid any unexpected encounters. The faint echo of the ballroom's music grew louder as they neared the main hall.

As they reached the corner that opened into the main hall, Linus gestured for Mara to pause. He peered out cautiously, scanning the crowd. They moved swiftly, rejoining the festivities as if nothing had happened.

Linus kept a sharp eye on the two men who had threatened the mayor. His gaze tracked their movements, making mental notes of their interactions and demeanor. There was more to discover, and he needed to understand who they were and what they were after. For now, they were nothing more than dangerous whispers in the dark, and Linus needed clarity.

A few minutes later, the men began making their way toward one of the exits. Linus knew this was his chance to follow them and gather more information. He turned to Mara, signaling for her to stay back. His subtle gesture was meant to avoid drawing attention or suspicion.

Mara's gaze tightened, annoyance flashing across her face, but understanding won out. She nodded reluctantly, knowing Linus was right to handle this alone.

Linus gave her a brief nod of acknowledgment, his expression resolute, and without another word, he slipped away, blending into the shadows as he trailed the two men. His movements were smooth and silent, honed by years of experience. Keeping a safe distance, Linus followed them through the winding passages of the mansion, his presence masked by the dim lighting and the occasional bursts of laughter and music from the ballroom.

The men moved with purpose, unaware of their silent pursuer. Linus kept close to the walls, his senses sharp, using every shadow and corner to remain undetected. Eventually, the men reached a side entrance and slipped out into the cool night air. Linus hesitated briefly, ensuring they hadn't noticed him, before quietly following them outside.

The crisp night air hit him as he stepped into the darkness, pulling his cloak tighter around his shoulders. The contrast from the warmth and noise of the mansion was stark, but Linus thrived in the stillness of the night.

He moved with calculated precision, careful not to make a sound as the men continued down a secluded path. The night was far from over, and Linus was determined to make every moment count.

Whatever secrets the mayor and these men hid, Linus intended to uncover them.