state that wasn't on most maps. The trees grew taller, thicker. The fe

ng out of the forest. Grey stone, high turrets, windows that

d came to a halt in front of the main entrance. A

ened the d

nking into the gravel. The

t was tailored to within an inch of its life. Her blonde hair was pulled back

ng. The stepmot

n to greet me. I ha

r, forcing myself to look up

a gloved hand and grabbed my chin. Her grip w

I were a horse she was considering buying. "But t

ame," Hig

the West Wing. Do not bring her into the main house. I have guests co

having a wedding?"

her fingers, and a man in a grey suit stepped forward

ready processed the license in your absence. You are legally bound to this family

suffering. "There is no cake. There is no

walked into the house. The

red to the le

ergrown with ivy. The West Wing was separated from the main ho

. It smelled of antiseptic an

was a keypad and a retinal scanner. He

ss Gr

r hisse

ychiatric ward. The walls were white padding. The floors were linol

ng is automated. Food comes through the secure slot. Medications are dispensed remotely. The panic butt

nutes?" I

et and pulled out a key card. "This opens his room. Do not go in unless he

nd was shaking. "Is he

toward the en

ry not to provoke him. T

or slammed shut behind him. The lock engage

s al

the hallway

en, from the room at the very e

oss the floor. And then, a low, guttura