da's

The smell presses against me, curling into my lungs. A bitter taste burns my throat and makes

n. I need help, but I can't speak. I see a figure watching from the window; I stretch my hands, si

**

run my fingers over somethin

y eyelids

arkness took over. The first thing I see is the grand canopy above me, luxurious and u

A deep voice, smooth but fi

bl

light, making him look even more beautiful. He's wearing a different cloth now- a white shirt, sle

" I push the

e a sound because his gaze snaps t

llow

e call wit

e is calm with something

ere...?" My throat

ace,"

sit up, but immediately I budge; pain ru

, his hand pressing my shoulder light

m and I hate tha

ing. The party. The gas. The door locked behind me. The realization. The

th

t here?" My v

Not seeing you come back to the ballroom made me real

ess hi

was wrong. He had

t all I can focus on is one thing

et it remains firm underneath. He takes a teac

tif

doctor prescribed. You inhaled too m

esi

at his lips. "You t

y no

t me, if I meant to hurt you, I wou

says i

ly, and a weird shiver runs through me. I ignore it. I focus on t

l watc

e him star

ay," he says a

again. "

need

d to g

s unreadable. "T

up down. "I

ticks i

f and get out of bed. I shiver as the cold air stings my

driver to giv

n't

I need t

ar him-is dangerous in w

***

o

t a steady, heavy thud in my chest. Everyt

to a place that no

low and hushin

eading to the upper floors where my stepmother and Ava's rooms are. The voi

is sounding frustrated. "She was supposed

ight, and a freezing feeli

ng unbothered. "You were careles

t being obvious?" Ava hisses. "Besi

le

are spea

at the party, and I'm

es. "That comp

ing so loud I swea

"He cares enough to interfer

says, "Then we must remove her. Permanently, just

They're talking about killing

a knife to my gut

uld run; I should leave

't get th

orboard which c

whips towar

think.

g. A chair slides back loudly behind

t look

ng and my legs screaming. But when I reach

all with a

lienne stands a few feet away, composed as ever. And

ly should've just die

asoline thicke

r and fire erupts. I hear them hurrying to leav

't know I

new they wo

close around the small knife

the rope they

-I run, but I don't go far before