ng one hand on the handle. He didn't step inside. He jus

s flat and cold. "The kitchen already delayed dinne

me. I don't know who you are, but I don't belong here. I'm a

slightly like he couldn't make sense of

led the door shut, an

epping closer. "And come downsta

but her throat suddenly locked up. A sudden, deep

, my

fore she could stop them. Mia froze, t

hake in her jaw. He looked her up and down, tur

her face into her hands, gasping for

e so clumsy she dropped it twice before pulling it over her head. The

ed inside, her face pale, checking over her

ng down the back of Mia's dress with fast, nervous hands. "

ay. The cold stone floor bit into her bare

staring straight at the floor as they walke

. "There are guards everywhere. Just keep your

p under a wall torch. "Why does everyone keep

it lost all its color, then yanked her arm free and k

in dark uniforms. One guard pulled the door open, showi

mpty plate. To his right sat an older woman with silver hai

tting down her glass. "Sit down, dear. Y

s left, her knee bumping the table as she

said, leaning forward. "William said y

on his hand, his eyes l

oice quiet across the quiet table. "What

r sudden urge pulled at her a strange impulse to give a sp

" Mia said, her voi

de Clara flinch by the wall. Eleanor's soft smi

ice low as he leaned back. "You don't rememb

d up instinctively, her fingers hitting bare skin. No ne

r son. "The doctor said she took a hard fall when she

id, his eyes never leaving Mia. "She fell onto

aw tightening as she press

ong table until he stopped right behind Mia's ch

ht near her shoulder. "I don't know what you'r

on his heel, and walked out, letti

t her ribs. Across the table, Eleanor hadn't moved e

sn't he?" Elean

oked up

elani spent years learning how to behave at this table. She never sat hunched over, a

heart hammering in her thr

r dress as she looked at Mia. "

s clicking against the stone floor. Near

" Eleanor said, her voice dropping.

t, leaving the doub

es. Clara hurried over, her hands trembling so much she alm

the girl's sleeve. "Tell me.

allway, her chest rising and fal

er fingers clamping tight onto Mia's wrist. "You tried to run awa