The next morning, Lucille didn't accompany Drake to work. She claimed she had something to do at the university, which Drake didn't think much about and simply allowed.
"I have to find out," she murmured to herself as she was escorted to the university by Drake's guard.
An ominous thought gnawed at her—that the powers emanating from the miniature temple were not a blessing but a curse. With no real business at the university, she needed to be away from Drake to conduct her investigation.
"I don't want to unwittingly bargain with the devil instead of a deity," she thought, feeling the weight of her unease.
"Is something troubling you?" the driver inquired.
"No, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Lucille responded, her caution heightened, feeling as though every person under Drake's employ was an eye watching her.
"You seem quite anxious, biting your nails like that, madam," the driver observed, causing Lucille to glance at her ruined nails.