se of the party faded away, rep

que her grandmother had cherished. Th

the hand cold as paper gripping hers. "This

e she had left was draped over the body

nged forward, her hand fisting in the delica

" Harlene snarled, her f

e pried Harlene's fingers off, a smug look on her fac

other had given away her grandmother's dress. Th

ke poison. "Some people just d

t. "Doesn't it look gorgeous? I fill it out

orld went red. A cold, clear thought cut through the rage: This is not a break

s were useless against

r fingers wrapped around the hilt of th

. Her eyes went wide. She tried to run

agging about Dennis, complet

. Each step was

nce for defeat. She pose

th. The silver blade flashe

the perimeter, their expressions tense. They didn't draw their weapons, but

She finally saw the knif

rabbing Estella's shoulder in a

't aim for flesh. It sliced through

ric was loud, obscene. I

ng to twist away, but

he heavy skirt fell away in ribbons. The silver embroi

ound them. The crowd surged

r, her face white, her

ving. She looked at the shredded fabric in her hand, t

ps into Estella's

lene said, her vo