The Crimson Letter
The storm came just after midnight.
Rain tapped steadily against the windows, and the wind moaned across the cliffs in long, mournful sighs. Sloane stood in the library, barefoot on the cool wooden floor, a glass of red wine warming in her palm. The room was enormous, filled with rows of aged books stretching floor to ceiling, an iron chandelier flickering above, and velvet curtains drawn partially open to let in the wild sea light.
She hadn’t meant to find this place. Her restlessness had carried her from corridor to corridor, past locked doors and antique mirrors that reflected her only dimly, as if unsure who she was. But the library door had been ajar, waiting for her.