The mistress room is in the darkest wing of the oldest building on Howel grounds. Most of the building is for bodyguards and servants, but there are a few rooms for guests of lower status. Avery walks down the dark hallway, fighting the urge to shiver.
Most of the servants have gone to bed, so the building is silent and dim. The hazy yellow glow of street lamps comes in through a window. The servant stops outside a plain wood door and slowly opens it. Avery pauses in the doorway, but the servant impatiently pushes her into the room and shuts the door.
Avery fumbles for the light switch and a single bare bulb hanging from the ceiling flickers, something squeaks, and Avery turns to see a mouse scurry across the floor and under her bed. She rolls her eyes—the Howel's are very particular about controlling all pests, and there are never any mice on the property—someone must have put the mouse in the room as a cruel joke.
