nk when I h

am doing in a tunnel with a man when I ought to be with our guest? Panic clawed at my chest as her voice grew closer. Mother can be violent, I mean ver

sees me w

good a

r of the tunnel. My back pressed against the cold, damp stone. His body shielded mine, our breaths

than to let Mot

trouble," Mother spat, her voice echoing through the tunne

you told her? Does she know about this place? About your hideous cri

nto my palms as I listened, struggling to

that pretty little lie you conjured overnight, the real story. What did he do to deserve suc

ed slightly. "What a

. Everything her father worked for, you hid it. Even

ed shallow. My

unt Grace pressed. "She will ha

ernity, Mother exhaled sharply. "Grace, h

out of the tunnel,

ther word, Mother

the tunnel s

us both

ands trembled as I clutched my chest, tears burning i

all

Nanny Chopper. Everyone

rds, the way he would stare at me with something that was not quite loathing, n

shared no

breathe. I fell to my knees, gasping as memories flooded back-his leerin

ld hav

alm, soothing, but I could still hear the tension beneath it. "We need to leave this tunnel

." My voice shook. "My dress is covered in mud, my

d. "Then come with me. I'll take you s

a death wish. Mother has eyes everyw

d but sai

e hem. I need to look like I was attacked. If Mother pitied me ins

take the woods," I warned. "

darkened. "Wh

head. "Just

nly found mine, and before I knew it, we were running. His grip was

me, I looked at him.

s fam

never seen

myself wondering what wo

Melody, this is not the

sudd

a

My palms scraped against the dirt, but the worst partthe part that made m

as sharp. "

e," I ch

I wa

s shirt off, tearing it into str

wound, his touch surprisingly

g, failing, to ignore t

it. The guests ha

do I see you again, Mel?" His voice was softer now, almost p

ed. I opened my

en I h

rcy's

spered urge

just a second longer before

ust as he approached. I

ver me. "Miss, a

smile. "It's j

m your mother

ed. "I will explain eve

ard my chambers. I was just steps away from safety

from th

blood tu

hinking,

ARL