r P

to the point where the world was a constant, hazy blur. Two guards hau

o the pack's a

ws that let in only the weakest of the late autumn light. There was no fireplace, n

to perform public penance for Caroline's soul

ft. Then they pushed me to my knees on the stone floor before a makeshift alta

ey pointed. Some spat on the floor near me. Their whispers wer

rn and my limbs ache. The cold from the stone floor was a living thing

faded into a dull roar. I swa

ak doors cr

aw a figure walk in.

ug

my chest. He had come. He had realized it

l. He knelt in front of me, his face close to mine. His eyes, the col

grabbed my chin, his fingers digging into my jaw, forcing my head up. "If you thi

as annihilated. He hadn't come to save me. H

on his trousers as if he'd touched something fou

st thread holding m

umpled sideways, my head hitting

, extinguishing the fever's fire, silencing the whispers. My

, pulling sensat

wards, looking down at the pathetic sight of my o

ghost. A

t sensation. I floated across the courtyard, towards the main manor. I did

nt door and up the grand staircase. I was

. They were talking to a

e guest

ce, recoiled in a silent

s Car

was perfectly styled, her blue ey

weet, childish voice. "Mother, I came back as soon

a sick, doting love. "Soon, my darling. Once s

ve made the arrangements. It will look l

a frame-up. I

. A slow, cold, deniable death sentence. They were going t

rce of nature. It ripped through my cons

ushing void. My last thought was not of pain or fear, b

revenge. I will

choed in the void. It was ancient, fema

want a

f my being, I screame

ive an