aide

rping of crickets and the rustle of leaves. My lungs burned, and my legs ached

exertion. It was the drug. The sedative Cora had put in my soup. Its effects

woods and be found by a patrol in the morning.

rdened within me.

he wilderness. It was inside the walls of that estate. I couldn't fight it as a fugit

ched into my mind from years of childhood exploration. I took a long, circuitous r

tones. The manor was quiet, the drama of my "escape" having moved to the front of

ed the door open. It was empty.

cou

their involvement, to prevent the plan from unraveling before they could spin their story. They

rved wooden base until I found the hidden latch. A small compartment

gency a

ot Celena, prepare this for me. It was a powerful detoxifying agent, capable of neutralizing most c

and drank the contents in one swallow

an to clear, but it came with a price. The potent herbs

t life, sharp and ag

I saw Ashley, her arm around my shoulder in a sisterly embrace, her eyes gleaming with

ous life. I saw my personal maid, Cora Hayes, her face pale and her hands trembling slightly as she stirred my e

mundane, so domestic

lling her that I suspected something, that I had a hidden antidote

I clenched my fists, my short, clean nails digging into my palms

tion was a weapon, and I would not l

the dirt from my face, and walked to the bel

s later, the

saw me and her eyes widened. A flicker of pure panic crosse

Are you feeling alright?" Her voice wa

her composure began to crumble under my cold, steady gaze. I noticed a flicker of confusion in her eyes, but

tep back, a prima

almost conversational, but it cut thro

, Cora," I said, my eyes never l

d into a million pieces. The pitcher slipped from her grasp and crashed

u're talking about," she stammered

ust inches away. I leaned in, my voice droppi

," I said softly. "And I k

crumpled to the floor, a heap of terror and guilt. She expect

down at her, my ex

d of any emotion. "I'm going

an what Ashley or Juliana could ever inspire. She was looking at me, but she was seeing

down her face, grabbing at the chance

d smile touc

awn was on