ca

e brass urn. Though it was small, it felt h

e penthouse. This place had

I th

as just a cage

code, and the

y, I heard

g one of my silk robes, lounging

sk, counting money. He didn't

id, his voice flat. "

tighter, my knuc

k about he

p, her movem

ine glass, sloshing the red liquid dangerously c

gigg

of my rob

y mouth, I knew it was a mi

s eyes

ing here is Anthony's. And Anthony

to me with a p

out and flic

llow, disres

said. "Jus

oved

ious decision; it

the white carpet, stain

a shr

he screamed.

cross the roo

appened. He didn't e

throat and slammed

the plaster, and stars

s face inches from mine. "She is

d my grandmother

care," Ant

d me down

ad told him once, in

oons had locked me in a janitor's closet for two days.

me to the

forced with concrete. S

aid, coldly. "You need to learn

heels into the floor. "Anth

n't he

and I fell onto th

the door, but

lammed shut, and

ness was

nst my eyes. It

cre

r until my fists bl

l in the corner, hugging the ur

urs. Maybe days. I

waves. It felt

austion set in,

ng else too

ar

hought about every lie. I

asn't just crue

A truly powerful man wouldn't need to

. I stopped bang

the darkness become a sh

ait

the lock turn, I didn

yed s

nd light flooded i

l stood

ed down

I knew he expected to see a b

ed up

ry. My expres

done?"

, clearly

ttered. "We hav

and walke

ook back a

he darkness