ella

t of piety. She closed her eyes, her lips moving in a

echoed through t

ith manufactured panic. "My necklace! The m

y locked onto mine. "Sister... we were the

with the detached interest of a s

ther to answer, they e

on and violence fouling the air. The leader, a burly man with a scarre

t spirits left for us," he sneer

lit Elfie's face. Thi

ling finger at me. "Sister, did you take i

ose villains were hired by Elfie and

. A slow, knowing

nes dying on his tongue. He tilted his he

What are you waiting for?" s

lmly reached into the sleeve of my gown and produced a small, unassuming piece of iron

eader to see. His eyes

ittle drama," I said, my voice a low murmur only he c

a beast of instinct, and his instincts were screaming

the scales, "I can ensure your sister gets t

sister was dying from a wasting sickness.

econd. Greed was a powerful motivator, b

me, a gesture of su

he world she thought she control

predatory gaze on her. The feigned menace wa

" he growled, taking a slow, delibera

a mask of terror. "What... what ar

of the altar, folding my arms. T

employer said we only needed to take one of you. And since we can't afford to offend t

terrified thing. "Isabella

reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of her

ose, my lips b

l, dear sister," I whispered. "Enj

he finally understood. She had never been the p

Rogue leader. "Don't damage her to

subservient grin. "

nto the forest. They moved with brutal efficiency

Sunlight streamed down, illuminatin

oddess, the architect of my own justice. And