next to a massive stone fount

der a black umbrella. He pulled the car

red suitcase. The cold rain instantly

eyes held the cold calculation o

el and led her up t

the heavy, carv

Baroque-style foyer. The air in

ir near the roaring fireplace. She was slowly rolling

few feet away and greeted the old wom

t even look up. She l

erling family had sent t

inside of her cheek, playing the pa

n waved her

om the shadows. She was pushing a stainless

red her order in a vo

l wing. Do a full ferti

up. Panic flared in he

hed back. The bruises and marks on

hey would throw her out on the street. S

step back. She

a dangerous register. "Think carefully about the co

lammed her cane

family would never accept a ta

t from behind the pillars. They m

ke iron vises. They dragged her down the l

heels into the thick carpet, lea

ing medical room. The blinding glare of

onto her hands. She picked up a cold metal spe

able. Her muscles coiled tight, shifting

gle needed to drop the nurse and the two guards. She w

ed the collar of Serena's suit,

rned to ice. The

catching the nurse's wris

a piercing scream

ainst her. She dropped her shoulder and

into a tall glas

nsive vials and bottles crashed to the floor

nal panic button clipped to her scrubs. A high-pitched, localized alert

She bent down and snatched a jag

her breathing heavy, looking like