w days. Probably couldn't face me

er, did no

looking radiant and healthy. She

she asked, her voice drip

wer. I just

liding into the room. "But Eleanor and I, we unde

f my bed, placing the

sister-in-law," she added, h

oison you, Veronic

, tinkling sound tha

what I know. It only matters what Etha

w, Eleanor was so disappointed your li

hitched.

ir. But then, you're not exactly suitab

ty was br

aid, her smile widening. "We

ed the s

carved jade pendant. The jade was a strange, milky

tsman, very discreet. He grinds bone into the jade powder.

letting her

Elara. They make th

rld st

n't breathe. My son. His a

f, horror – a tidal wave of emotion s

ed mysel

clawing at her, trying to g

se than pain, and pushed me back.

ightstand, a lamp cr

bbed, scrambling up,

gh, out of my reach, a

He was never a *true* Ca

t the wall, the lid flying open. The jade pendant skittere

box lay on

nt, my fingers closing ar

all that was left.

the room, alert

heveled. He saw me, on the floor, clutching

to Veronica?" he yelled,

cried, clinging to him. "She a

onica behind him

his! You're ou

. The horror was too immense. I just held

it, then back at

f jewelry, Elara. Wh

. He wouldn't unders

aggressor, Veroni

ness was

nt in my hand. The cold, d

ned in my soul, a wound

ght l

floor, amidst the wreck

u

y and utt

n was now a chasm, deep

a stranger. He