Chapter 27

The next few days were a whirlwind of job hunting and apartment searching. New Orleans had a way of swallowing you whole, but I was determined to find my place within its vibrant tapestry. The French Quarter's cobblestone streets had become my playground, each twist and turn revealing a new opportunity.

One evening, as I was leaving a job interview, I felt a hand on my arm. I spun around, expecting Alex or one of Hartwell's men, but instead, I was met with the smiling face of a young woman with auburn hair.

"You're Elysia, right?" she said, her eyes sparkling with recognition. "Hi, I'm Lila. I work at the bookstore. I saw you looking at the book on the Quarter's history."

I nodded warily, unsure if she had followed me. "Yes, I'm Elysia. How did you find me?"

"Oh, it's a small town," she said with a wink. "Everyone knows everyone's business. Plus, you looked like you needed a friend."

Her candidness was surprising, but there was something about her that felt genuine. I found myself smi