xia

in my own life. I didn't try to warn anyone. I didn't feel the frantic

's eyes, any trouble involving Katrina was, by defaul

, I embraced

grey-haired housekeeper, knocked on my door.

er wishes to see you in

rived. The trial w

eps measured and calm. The house felt cavernou

chell, sat behind our father's enormous desk like a

ed inside, she slapped a folded piece of paper onto the

is note. It says you convinced

d handwriting was unmistakably Katrina's. I had to

ved into a panicked torrent of denial

m all day. I haven't

nvenient. Every time Katrina gets into trouble, you sudden

eeks. It was a gesture of submission she expected, o

voice was a sof

have. "You will stay in your room until Katrina returns. You will not h

, Mo

ted. A prison that was also my sanctu

the study, feeling her ho

ed me faded, replaced by a profound exhaustion.

this house who showed me any kindness, brought me a simple t

ispered, setting the tray down. "

. Aaron. My ten-year-old brother. In an

ke care of him," I

But... he keeps crying for Miss Katri

where sympathy should have been. I

hat seeped through the walls. Around midnight, there was a frantic kno

. The doctor gave him medicine, but

e, could you just come see him? Mayb

created. But Martha's eyes were filled with genuine terror, and she looked as if she w

his bed, his face flushed a painful, deep red, his lips cracked

. where...

oth in the basin of cool water. Wringing it

ments ceasing. His eyelids fluttered open, his gaze unfocused and glas

hand to his burning cheek, nuzzling agains

ed, the word slurred

e title he hadn't used for me in ye

appeared in the glacier around my heart. A tiny, unfamiliar warmt