dampness of the rain clung to her, a physical barrie

d with the slow dignity of old money, but now he was takin

ren

ere strong, shaking. He smelled

sponse to being restrained. She forced her muscles to

burying his face in her wet hair

onto the frame as if it were the only thing keeping

is hands on Serena's shoulders,

rembled. When she touched Seren

ernails were a dusky, pale violet.

spered, tears spilling over

chest. It wasn't the mission.

said. The word felt fore

s throat gently. "T

ld. Two rows of staff bowed. Harrison gestured grandly, hi

the sweeping stairc

inting to a gap in the line of port

a set of do

lived in for a decade. It was done in soft lavenders and c

Wrapped in silver paper

h hitching. "Every Christmas. I bought th

fts. Her throat tightened. This was

h tearing through her frail body. She gasped, cl

panic in his eyes. A maid rushed forwar

ed at the la

g on Eleanor's back, between the shoulder blades. To Harr

the seventh cervical vertebra. She pressed, a deep,

topped. The color flooded back into her

na with wide, confused eyes

ck, Mom," Serena said

zlement in his eyes. The effect had been too immediate, too... perfect. But the overwhelming relief washed it away. A

eft he

dow, watching the rain lash against the

er pocket. A single l

red. Club On

e window. The daughter was