"If anything happens to Mr. Blackwood," he snarled at Chloe, "I will personally see

k of conflict and fear. His loyalty was to his employer, who was cur

udly, for the benefit of the growing crowd. "W

" Chloe shot back, her voice cutting through his bluster. "You're

chy red. "And what would a little girl from the countryside

lice. Let's see who they arrest-me, for try

patient with a practiced air. "She's right," he said, his voice carrying the weight of academic authority. "It's a massive heart att

the professor. "

so confident, that it sil

e to publicly humiliate her. "Alright, little girl. Let's make a wager. If you can save him

instantly. "Everyon

uced a thin leather roll. She unfastied it, revealing a set of gleaming silver

, secret art her master had taught her, known only as the 'Serpentine Stitch.' The needle in her hand seemed to come alive

een a deathly shade of purple, suddenly took a shuddering, deep breath. A faint t

ispered, his voice trembling. "That... that's the legendary Serpent

in their roll. She looked at the stunned butler. "He's stable for now, b

down his face, could only nod. "Please

. Still, he couldn't accept it. "That was... that was some kind of witchcraft!" he stamme

with a cold smile. "I'd be happy to,"

oe, accompanied by a silent and deeply impressed Arthur, prepar