f the heart monitor. Julian stared at Faye, his gray eye

silence stretched, heavy with intent-he w

Her stillness seemed to unsettle hi

. "The best doctors in the world examined me. The dia

sketch-a rapid, precise diagram of the human nervous system, annotated with com

use. The spinal injury exists, but it's not severe enough to cause total par

pressed a button on the armrest of his wheelchair. A series of faint clicks

hat's your angle? Did the Hayes fam

ly wanted me married to you. I, on t

sh. "A deal? What could you

e eye, her voice ste

He hadn't heard it in three years. The hope that flic

A girl from the countryside

"And because you have no other options. You can sit in this chai

rantee my safety and give me complete autonomy. In return, I'll get you

rest. A risk. A wild, insane risk. But walking again. Find

nally. "Proof that you're

need a set of acupuncture needles and some herbs. Toni

r a long moment. "Giv

greement. But

wrote quickly, the names of the herbs flowing

ing became certain: this woma

d turned to han

oor burst ope

be alone with this wom

ting hostility. Julian's sister, Catherine Sinclair

shreds with a contemptuous sneer. "Herbs? Needles? What is this witc

paper fluttere