e maintained eye contact with Stone, letting t

ed coolly. "What exac

econd at the use of the first name.

your health, Ma'

champagne toast. To th

ache returned, sharper this time, f

polished black shoes near t

in Delina's mind. It wasn'

will

th physical force. The air around them se

ay, dismissing Delina with a

a fraction of a second, forgot the simple command to lift her foot. Her polished shoe dragge

She pitched forward, gravity

ing thud. Her momentum carried her sliding forw

ng vase atop the

time seeming to

xt to Stone's head. Shards of blue and white

lutched her bleeding arm,

zen. Her heart r

he stairs, gasping. "Mrs. Stone! Oh

at the floor.

che. It was Suggestion. She could manipul

er. It was cold and heavy, but it fel

r face into a m

elina commanded the maid, her

She leaned close to Stone's ear, her voice

be more careful, Cr

al fear she couldn't explain. She saw something in Del

, feeling drain