Beaumo

racking perfectly. "I'm dizzy. Ca

rly concealed greed, flickered. He wan

e nightstand with a soft clink, the sound echo

rms. I flinched, a genuine reaction this time. The memory of his tou

sed

me into a sitting position. My head lolled to the side, my hai

toward the edge of the bed, closer

d from his grasp. It dangled for a moment, then m

s voice losing its gentle facade. "It wil

y was so thick I cou

he underside of the nightstand's top drawer. My n

lmost invi

ness. My grandfather had this secret compartment installed for me years ago

kept love letters and

e, it held

n a breath, and a small panel sprang open on the lower si

bed of velvet, was a

birthday present from Grandfather Alistair. A

the loyalty of those around me. This pack, this family, was a pit

my full weight against Dudley, forcing him to

e. He thought my final resistance ha

is back partially turned to me a

l the tim

s grounding, a solid piece of reality in a world that had fractured and reformed

ndis's footsteps hurrying up the stairs, then her voice calling Grandfathe

act bef

's trophy. The bitter, earthy smell of the drug assaul

the spoon

my head t

eth. A drop of the vile liquid sp

, once a mask of fake sympathy, twisted int

me, his fingers crooking into a claw, aiming to pry

shot towa

ever rea

sessed surged through me. It was the strength of a l

ed him

ard, surprised by

him, my body a blur of white silk. The pistol, now free fro

far side of the bed, the mat

aised t

im lamplight, its dark, hollow eye

tretched, his face a comical

ad just beco