秦枫眼前一亮:“这个女人叫什么?住在哪里?”
墨爷摇头说道:“这个小的不清楚,我只是在朝阳楼吃饭的时候,见过她几次。”
秦枫挑眉:“你跟她同桌吃饭吗?”
“没有,这个女人总是坐在三楼靠窗的散台位置,我见过几次,但我并不认识她。”
说完,墨爷再次求饶:“小人叶墨,人称京城百事通,还望前辈饶我一条小命,小的以后可以免费给您提供消息。”
“你最好别碰张婧初。”
秦枫丢下一番话,离开了别墅。
不久后,张婧初醒来......
Quentin trudged through the rain-soaked streets, his eyes fixed on the ground. He had been walking for hours, but he didn''t know where he was going. The city seemed to have shifted and twisted around him, like a maze with no exit. He had lost track of time, too - it felt like days since he''d left that accursed mansion.
As he walked, the rain slowed to a drizzle, then stopped altogether. Quentin looked up to see a woman standing under an awning, watching him. She was beautiful, with long black hair and piercing green eyes. He couldn''t help but feel a jolt of attraction.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice low and husky.
Quentin hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I...I''m just looking for something," he stammered.
The woman raised an eyebrow. "What is it that you''re looking for?"
Quentin''s eyes darted around, making sure they were alone. "Just a way out of this place," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The woman nodded sympathetically. "I think I can help you with that."
She pulled out a small notebook and flipped through the pages. Quentin recognized some of the symbols - ancient languages, forgotten lore. This was no ordinary woman.
"My name is Lilith," she said, her eyes locked on his. "And you are?"
Quentin''s heart skipped a beat as he told her his name. There was something about her that made him trust her, something that made him want to lean in and kiss her lips.
As they walked through the city streets, Lilith explained that she was a collector of rare artifacts - ancient texts, forbidden knowledge. She had heard rumors of a powerful relic hidden somewhere in the city, one that could grant immense power to its possessor.
Quentin''s eyes widened as he listened. He knew that artifact, knew what it was capable of. But he also knew that it was out there, waiting for him - or someone else.
As they turned a corner, Quentin spotted a building across the street. It was an old mansion, with crumbling stone walls and overgrown gardens. Lilith followed his gaze.
"That''s the Amaranth Hotel," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Rumor has it that the owner, Mrs. Redding, has a few...collectibles hidden away."
Quentin''s heart skipped a beat. This was where he had to go. He knew what lay ahead, but he also knew that he couldn''t turn back now.
"Let''s do this," he said, his voice firm.
Lilith smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I''ll take you there."