spine. She froze, the blo

th feigned concern, "Julian, don' t be too

pregnant one should be spared." His eyes, cold and hard, met E

al room. Bert and Caryl Briggs, a retired schoolteacher and a librarian, looked

to get out of bed, to run to them, but Julian slammed her back against

an ugly sneer. "This is what happens when you

bodyguards, who uncoil

g through the air was followe

st Julian' s grip. "Please, Julian, stop!

to look. "Then why did you hurt m

ng uncontrollably. "It was her! She pus

ss sound. He let her go and wrapped hi

said, his voice dripping with contempt.

sther harder than

r word is the only truth I need," fel

was gon

times. Esther felt hers shatter i

' s chest, her eyes, full of triumph

ly," she mouthed silently. "H

ents' screams. She was pinned to the bed, forced to watch the tw

tasted blood, the copper

ew weaker, and

d, yawning delicately.

carried her from the room, leavi

ts lay motionle

gs weak, and fell to her knees beside them. She crawled toward them, her hands shaking

rn from her very soul. "It' s my fault.

a doctor, for a n

the scene, then at Esther. "I can' t. Mr. Mcgee'

, his expressi