runner rug, fighting agains

ter of the grand staircase, her knuckles

procedure more difficult," Derek said, his tone en

and sank her teeth deep into the fleshy part of

e of warm blood f

for Clara to wrench her arm free. She stumbled forwa

led from above, clutc

ds in black suits stepped into formation, blocking t

halt on the fifth s

htgown, sticking the fabric to her skin. Behind her, Derek was

arp silver hairpin from her messy updo, and pressed

ome any

racked, raw

right here! You can explain a dead bo

were hired to handle discreet corporate security, not

ps above her, his eyes

anding, the study doo

ting loosely in his right hand. He looked down through the wrought-i

" Domin

hat followed

ued, taking a slow sip from his glass. "It saves me the clinic

e of Clara's soul remained intact. Her hand shuddered. The hairpin sl

t waste the

across Clara's wrist with brutal precision. The sil

. They caught her by the elbows, twisting her arms be

pulling a clean handkerchief from his

the heavy side doors in

avel driveway, exhaust fuming into the cold ni

a tight ball against the door panel, her arms wrapping around her

to the front

k told the driver. "Tell Dr. S

inst the crushed gravel before hitting the

treetlights flickered across her tear-streaked face in rhythmic bursts of amber and shadow.

oncrete ramp into a sterile, underground

doors f

nurses wearing surgical masks and sterile blue scru

Derek said as

your hand

down into the wheelchair, locking wide leather straps across her wrists and ank

not perform a medical pro

the side, a pre-filled syring

ve to help you rela

lunged into Clara

limbs grew leaden, her frantic struggles slowing to sluggish twitches

ough a set of automated doubl

p flared to life. The sharp clatter of stainless steel

between her strapped legs, his eyes compl

freezing room, strapped down like an animal, the last ember of love she

eached for a

high-pitched alarm shr

ythmic warble of an encrypted medical telemetry monitor

doors banged open

n his hand flashing bright red, his usua

ure! Halt everyt

d metal instrument hoverin

s earpiece tightly agains

hed. Mr. Montgomery is already