ana

ht to my room

really a room. It was a converted storage closet with a

he door an

led out, their contents vomited onto the

hes, the photo of my

courtyard. Near the service entrance, by the ind

own my life

, I felt a strange, cold lightness. It wa

to the dumpsters. I found my old servant's uniform-the black

filth. If they wanted a servant, I would give them a

to the staf

e had been an Associate for the family for thirty years, a glorified bookkeeper who kept hi

d. "Why are you

id, kneeling beside him. "T

"The Reaper? Ali,

I said. "Pack your pills.

ad and marched back

y were eating lunch. The air smelled

n her hand. "Finally. You look appr

he head of the table, a sta

id. "My father is sick. I'm taking him to th

on is for staff use only. And since you just tried to walk o

ys," I said, my

clicking on the parquet floor. She was a small

na," she hissed. "Ju

oved m

hing my heel on the edge of the rug. I fell,

nd worn, tore open with a sharp *ri

m went

ive years, the air touc

ley shrieked. "T

ling my shirt down, but it w

d scars that covered my entire back from neck to waist. The

ce wasn't filled with recognitio

Jesus, Ali. Cover that

ars *he* caused, the scars that sav

cockroach. "Damaged goods. No wonder you hide

in my throat. I t

s a l

and manic. I s

?" I asked, stepping toward

ding his eyes. "Get away

d. Keith was a low-level soldier, but he had kind eyes. H

his voice trembling. "Those

n't let him tell them. They d

om me to Keith.

his jealousy flaring up despite his disgust. "Is

nsane," I

And you-" He pointed at me. "Go to your room. Yo

eaving,

led, cruel and c