e door came bef

oice snapped from the hallwa

the stiff way she'd slept, curled up like

on the nearby chair. Black dress,

ation. Just footsteps. Orders. Cold efficiency. Rosa-the woman who had knocked-was short and stern. Mid

sn't like it cold. Don't spill it. Don't speak unles

tions Rosa had drilled into her. Down the long hallway. Past oil pain

ront of the doo

th. Knocked

deep, unmistakable

at behind a large desk, papers neatly arrange

fingers trembling just slightly. She placed th

Her foot caught the edge of

nding right on a sheet of paper. Emilia fr

He looked down at th

ked up at her. The silenc

id quickly, eyes wide

alked aroun

dn't touch her. Didn't rais

ment before he reached into his pocket, pulled

said quietly. "You w

in her throat. She nodd

anger. Not pity. Just

you always

. "I-I try

to her hands. "

ner

hy

ike a breath. "Because I don't know what h

nt again. Then

he said. "Unless

tepped closer-not to

r. Up

"That makes you mine. Not a guest. N

d, her th

not speak to me unless I speak first.

s,

g up the paper again l

may

or the door as fast as s

. "Rosa has clean clothes in the back

pa

to wonder, Was

n't loo

just loud enough:

ti stood motionless, staring

dn't know why her voice stayed in