roof, and snow piled against the Sebastian mansion in heavy drifts. Amanda huddled und

heard from Mrs. Sebastian's lips the day befor

going to

ht, but where could she go? Beyond the walls of the mansion stretched miles of forest, dark and unforgiving. She

er bed, she thought bitterly that even rogues co

sound Amanda heard. The attic door burst open, and Angela

other says the house must shine

ightened. "Guests?

. Men. Wealthy ones. And you had better make yourse

cruel melody as she turned on

t thudding painfully. So it was true. She wa

With her fingers, she combed through her tangled curls, trying to tame t

against the wall, her heart clenched. She saw her mother's amber eye

rvive," sh

were beaten until they gleamed. Amanda scrubbed and polished, her small body moving through endle

guests

t. His belly pushed against his fine coat, and sweat beaded on his brow. His greedy eyes swep

s skin

l-fed, equally smug. Their laughter filled

is voice full of self-importance. "You promi

blood r

ed toward Amanda as though presenting a fine piece of furniture. "The

ipped from her hands. Her knees trembled, but

or her chin. Amanda instinctively flinched back,

rchant's thick fingers lifted her face, his touch l

. "Perfect. How so

stomach

ing food and wine, while the merchant's eyes followed her every st

anda's fragile hope that the

tchen, her jeweled hand striking acro

her breath reeking of wine. "Tomorrow y

ut she nodded quickly. She had learned long ago

in sharp as a blade. "I will help dres

d together, their cruelty

ilent sobs shaking her small frame. She touched her sw

ipped outside barefoot into the snow. The cold stung her ski

d on the sky. Above, the moon shone full an

air. "Please," she whispered to the heavens. "Do not let them t

s as though answering. Amanda closed her eyes and

urned inside, sh

the attic, yanking Amanda from her thin mattress. "Come on, little pr

t pounded. "N

nce. You should be grateful. N

he seams biting into Amanda's ribs. Angela yanked Amanda's curls into a painfu

shoving Amanda toward the

on. The frightened girl stari

spread before him, and beside it a chest of gold gleamed in the light

oned toward Amanda.

ach step toward that table felt

ips, his hand reaching ou

s soul

them, the forest loomed dark and endless.

nt, she made