anse of stainless steel and cold marble, a barr

ss of the house any

clared, pushing the

before tipping over the edge

bare legs. The heat was searing, but I did

f the island, reading a newspaper, not even glancing

own on

y battery pack dragging down the waistband

click-

the room besides the sc

d a spot,"

high heel coming d

led my mouth. She ground her heel into m

with wide, innocent eyes. "She's loo

woman he believed had saved his life-being gla

in two predatory strides, an

into a ball, clutching my side where the tube ente

at her with disresp

dragging me across the fl

f his ancestors' portraits, down into the basement. He kicked op

led me

instantly. It wasn't just cold; it was a physical assault. My circulation was already poor be

h clashing together. "The bat

the door handle. "Think about

d shut. Darknes

es to my chest in a futile attempt to c

Dante from three years ago, sitting by my hosp

he world for

and I was the witch

*whir-click-whir* of my heart pump began to slow,

Beep.

batter

yes, welcomin

pen. Harsh light flooded in. A gu

p. Sofia cut her finge

walk; my legs were blocks of i

small band-aid around Sofia's index

ring violently on the floor

sked the guard, sou

ly, B

go to the hospital just to be saf

pped o

eat. I pulled my phone from my pocket with stiff, tr

days