Hender

skin, pulling me from the lavish main hall. The scent of polished wood and fresh flowers fa

corridor. The air was thick with the smell of old grease and something v

er, its teeth bared, emerged from a doorway. Its eyes, the color of burnt am

ath catching in my throat. My body locked up, a primal instinct scr

e didn't bother to scold the dog, or even look concerne

imy wall. Its hot breath fanned my face, its teeth inches from my throat. It cornered me, a snarling, t

into me, a sharp voice cut throu

earlier, appeared in the doorway. She surve

er voice sharp and entitled. She flicked her wrist, and the dog,

e instantly softening. "The mistress order

I don' t want her stinking up my air." She wrinkled her nose, as if the very t

igger than a closet. The water was lukewarm, the soap harsh. Elena scrubbed at me with a brutal efficiency, as if trying to scour

ther than my own pain. Deborrah... Her allergies. My mother was severely allergic to tree nuts. A single trace could

ll their wealth, seemed oblivious to her condition. Kaylee, a st

ound. I had to warn

se, my bare feet slapping against the cold marble. I pushed open the hea

ficiency. My eyes darted to the counter, where a silver platter of roasted chicken sat. Beside it, a bowl of w

"Don' t let my mother eat the pecans

s are you doing here, girl? Get out!" He jabbed a finger at me. "This is

g wildly at the nuts. "She' ll

ning with the family. And she certainly wouldn' t be served anything that could harm her." She snatched a cle

ed, my voice rising in despe

rd. I lost my footing, my head hitting the edge of a stainless steel table with a sickening thud. Pain exp

face a thundercloud. "What is going on here

still glowering, pointed at me. "This... girl, sir. She came bargin

down my temple. His expression was not concern, but pure irritation. "Get her out o

unsure. "She mentioned pecans. Miss Deborrah' s... sensitivi

at the pecan tray, then at me. "Pecans?" he as

s Deborrah' s diet. Only specially prepared dishes, completely free of any allergens. The main dining room has its own set of

ked down at me again, his expression hardening.

the crushing realization that my warning had been completely unnecessary, choked me. They had a

e me back to the staff quarters. Instead, I was left outside, by the grand French doors th

eliers. Deborrah, radiant in an elegant gown, laughed as Christopher whispered something in her ear. Kaylee, sitting next to her,

e years, were hidden beneath her beautiful dress. The scars on her heart, the ones I carried from her rejectio

st meal had been a packet of stale crackers hours ago. Th

chefs were gone. Only the cleaning crew remained, methodically wiping do

r me, but hunger was a stronger force. I scooped the leftovers into my hands, retreating to a dark corner behind the pantry. I a

unding, and a new wave of nausea crashed over me. The stale food had not agreed with me. I lurched to my fee

ters, usually silent at this hour

ation, malnutrition, and what looks like food poisoning," he announced, his voic

ce pale, aver

nly managed a weak gesture. "Trash," I cr

ay. "What is going on?" she demanded. Then, a sharp gasp. "Is that... that girl?" Her v

cut through the air. "What did you hear