We head back to Oliver's a few hours later - hours we filled with idle chatter since I didn't want to share my past and Oliver seemed equally as reluctant - and find Nico parked in the driveway.

He waves, unbothered we weren't here when he arrived.

"See you around, Dragon Girl," Oliver calls as he heads in.

I huff, rolling my eyes. He decided I'm like a dragon - mysterious and dangerous, but cute.

I get into the car.

"You're late," Nico says as he starts the car. "I would've worried, but Oliver is almost always with Stella, and she's a good girl." He pulls out of the driveway. "How was it?"

"Good. They told me all there is to do in the city and we talked about pets and shared stories of friends."

"Sounds like fun." He ruffles my hair. "Want to know something weird, Ror?"

"What?" I look up at him.

"I talked to the guys, and we've all adjusted to you already." He smiles at me. "We spent so long imagining you were with us, and now that you are, it's like you always have been."

I watch him, scanning his face for any insincerity. "I honestly don't know what to say in response to that."

He laughs. "That's okay, tesoro. You don't have to. This is a lot more shocking for you than it is for us. It'll take time to adjust."

When I don't respond, he puts my music back on, driving without speaking again. He doesn't seem upset though, just thoughtful.

When we get back into the house, I pause to actually look at the first floor.

Aside from the three garages, which I saw already, I'm shocked by the size. The foyer is black with two staircases, and I can see into the living room, which is black and white.

I spin in awe at the sight.

Nico chuckles as he shuts the door. "Nice, isn't it?"

I nod wordlessly.

"I'm going into my office to work, if you need me, just knock, okay?"

"Okay..."

"Feel free to explore or watch some TV or whatever." He waves and goes to the elevator. I walk up the stairs, turning left and heading up. I discover it doesn't matter which turn I took since both lead to the second floor.

I open the door labeled "Pool" and gasp in awe.

The pool takes up the entire room, and is slightly bigger than a hotel pool.

I shut the door and open one of the ones advertising it as a spa. It has a massage bed, but the room itself is small. A button on the wall calls the masseur, but I shut the door to that room too.

I open the second spa door, and see this one has two massage beds as well as plants painted on the ceiling, a framed photo looking like a window outside.

The third massage room is my favorite, I decide.

It has massage chairs, a hot tub, a steam room, an area to just sit, and a fire.

I make a mental note to come back when I have more time, and I reluctantly exit.

The next room I enter has only a staircase up, and so I close the door again and instead make note of where the elevator is, not too keen on the idea of walking up the stairs, especially when my ankle is still hurt.

It's a weight room, and I don't particularly like lifting weights, so I don't linger.

The second gym, however, is a lot more to my taste.

It has a punching bag.

It also has exercise bikes and other equipment, but I can only see the punching bag. I used to sneak out when Nathan was out doing God knows what and go to an illegal boxing ring.

There were areas to train, and sparring rings, where you would talk to an organizer and they'd find someone who was at your level, regardless of gender.

I loved going, it was my escape. I got really good at boxing, thanks to the five months straight Nathan was away on a "business" trip.

No man goes on a business trip and comes home with dirty lingerie unless there's more to the tale, but I knew better than to bring it up.

"Oh! Miss Rizzo!"

I turn to find a man holding towels.

"Hi." I turn back to the punching bag before I spin to look at him. "Could we custom order gloves for me? To box?"

"You box?"

I nod. "Yeah. I like it."

He nods and shifts the towels. "Well, I can certainly place an order for you."

"Thank you so much!" I circle the punching bag and turn back to him. "And you can just call me Aurora. I'm not really a Rizzo, I'm a Raine."

"As you wish, Miss Aurora." He bows his head and leaves again.

I sigh and leave the gym, glancing once more at the punching bag.

I open the door to the shooting range, and realize it's soundproof when I catch sight of the walls.

It looks just like a shooting range, and I'm not a fan of guns. Not since Nathan shot me with one.

I exit rather quickly, content with the brief look I got of it.

The archery range, however, looks fun.

It has fourteen targets with bows at each one. I find some archery gloves, but they're too big for me, so I pass them and pick up a bow. I notch and arrow and aim, letting the arrow fly.

I cheer when I hit bullseye on my first try. I don't try again, because I'm not very good at archery and that was sheer luck. I'd rather leave with one victory than with twenty failures.

I go to the elevator, ogling the gold color it is, tracing my fingers over the cool metal.

I hit the third floor and walk around. I go into the library, spinning at the size.

I get out and stare at the rooms ahead of me. I open the first door, and shut it right after.

The scent of wood and sawdust was strong, and I caught sight of some power tools. Not my style, and I don't like sawdust, it makes me sneeze.

I open the next door instead, and step inside. It's a large, circular room with a grand piano in the center. I step onto the rug and sit at the bench, pressing a key.

The sound resonates throughout the room, and I open the music book. I wish I knew how to play piano.

Maybe one of my brothers does.

That thought comes so suddenly, I feel dizzy.

My brothers.

Am I really so attached after just one day that my first thought was to go to them? Apparently so.

I leave the piano room, and open the next door. It's a simple room, with a large TV and several speakers.

A note taped to the wall tells the twins to stop hooking the speakers up to every room in the manor and blasting dirty songs.

I laugh, not surprised. I met them around twenty-four hours ago, and I already know the twins like pranking the others.

The fourth room is a musical recording studio. The note taped to the wall in here is a thank you. I smile when I realize this was a gift to one of the servants who quit to pursue music.

"My dearest Jasmyne,

Thank you for seven years of working for us. We know you wish to have a career in musical production, but we can't imagine Midnight Manor without you. Please stay, and consider this room yours to use whenever. Our home will forever be your home, should you choose to leave and one day return. Best of luck on your dream, my darling. I'll always be in the crowds, rooting for you. Yours always, Nico Rizzo."

I read it again, just to be sure I didn't misunderstand. Nico and a servant?

I suddenly feel as if I'm intruding, despite having been told I could be in this room.

I leave and am about to open the door to the next room when I remember Sierra mentioning secret passages.

I abandon my exploration and head back to the first floor, getting into the bronze elevator. I stare at the buttons, trying to remember which one will take me to the offices.

"Oh, Aurora, there you are!" Maribelle rushes over. "Alex said to give this to you."

She hands me a piece of paper. I open it and blink.

"A floor plan..." I look up. "That... is oddly amazing timing."

She laughs and ties her hair back. "We'll be in the kitchen on the seventh floor again if you want to stop by later to help with dinner."

"Thank you, Maribelle." I smile. "Oh, are there secret passages in the house?"

"Of course there are!" She laughs again. "I don't think the boys even know where they all are!"

"Woah, okay. Thanks, Maribelle."

"Of course." She vanishes into the living room again.

I yawn and suddenly the exhaustion creeps in. I head up to my room on the eighth floor and open the door. I climb up the stairs and into bed. I smile sleepily when I see someone made the bed for me already, and that my stuffed bear somehow made it from Canada.

I hold him in my arms as I snuggle under the covers, and I drift into a dreamless sleep.