"You've never even met him. How do you know he's better than me?"
Baron Kelly said admiringly, "Annan Reeves has created so many worlds that feel alive, and countless people adore him. How could you possibly compare?"
Annan had taken second place in an Annan Reeves impersonation contest.
"But you're impressive too..." Worried that Young Miss Olmedo might feel slighted, Baron Kelly went on to praise him. His admiration was just as genuine. "Young Miss Olmedo, you're so talented I can hardly bear to hand you over to the Gray Mist."
"If you hand me over, who's going to help you finish your work? The Gray Mist isn't a follower of the Lord of Change. I'm the one on your side!" Annan deliberately showed him the Eye-Shaped Mark on the back of his hand.
"Then, Young Miss Olmedo, how about becoming my assistant? Help me finish my work, and I'll guarantee you come back from Montreal Mountain alive."
"Could you guarantee something else?"
Annan stayed in character to the end. "I want to rescue my uncle!"
Baron Kelly was about to answer when his expression shifted.
"What is it?"
Baron Kelly looked toward the hall outside and sneered. "Some fool is trying to escape."
"That's your decision."
Annan had no intention of pleading for them. He had given them a chance and warned them. If they hadn't understood, that was no longer his problem.
He asked the baron for a bedroom and checked it thoroughly once he was inside.
As expected, invisible threads ran through every part of the Manor. Nothing there escaped Baron Kelly's notice.
The baron had probably mentioned the escape attempt to warn him... But it didn't matter. Annan hadn't finished his mission and had no plans to flee.
Then there was the mark on his hand...