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“Then you understand that there are rules that will be followed I have to keep my employees and my oelfare protected,” she explained

“Of course,” Marie said quickly

Marie understood that there was a lot of risk that went into a business like this No one was going to take that uards in place Marie couldn’t iht be, but she was sure that they were thorough

Madaer to Marie’s forehead, “If you break my trust, there will be a curse upon you, do you understand?”

The threat ious Madame Osei seemed to believe in it and that was all it took to make Marie nervous She nodded in response to the threat and her eyes darted to Marco as Madame Osei addressed him

“I’s up here?”

“Of course, Ma’am”

Madarinned at Marie and took a step back, “Followtone she’d used before

Chapter Eight

Marie was hesitant to follow Madah the back of the shop that led out to a separate building She’d hardly noticed the abandoned looking warehouse next to the cafe

This hat she’d expected when Rachel had first handed the card over to her; a shady warehouse where she was probably going to bewhen the heavy monstrosity of a door seemed to open on its own

Marie looked inside and was instantly i like the outside Two handso it as needed

The building that the true Mystique was housed in was a dingy warehouse s tinted so dark you couldn’t see inside For those who did make it inside the doors, there was a wonderful surprise waiting for them

The tall ceiling was decorated with various silks that hung down ast intricate Middle Eastern and African tapestries Despite the dark tint on the s, sun flooded through and lit the rooht couldn’t seem to reach were lit with candles that smelled of faraway lands and spices

When they first entered the rooe fountain that trickled with the clearest water, Marie had ever seen As they got closer she noticed that the water smelled like roses