thought. "This room

a gilde

nd a dressing table lined with luxury skincare and perfume bottles. A gold-trimmed vanity mirror reflected

the ornate handle. Nothing. Bolted shut. She rattled

d there-barely visible-was a small b

ame

omach

them-three more pinhole-sized cameras: one above the armoir

t to be ki

toward the bed. She couldn't sit. Not yet. Not when

s, they wo

er dea

The door creaked open, and Teres

d softly, offering a small smile

rrowed. "I didn

eed to

ed an

fresh fruit, a cup of rich-smelling coffee. Alina's stomach gr

you worked for

raightening the silv

w he was goi

till. "I'm just the ho

e is. You know I didn't choose this. My father sold me

the ceiling, then back to Alina. "There are t

terly. "My safety

d softly. "Eat somethin

Wait-please. Do you know anything about my father

, her hand on

g around, "men like him believe t

n she w

d again with a

m for hours. She di

ness couldn't pierce the haze of dread settling over her. Every inch of

n the walls, checking the back of the

ts, no secret e

d the hills outside, painting

had made a

n days. She wouldn't

d get ou

waited until the

s had come to check in. The silence wa

pants she'd found in the wardrobe. She wrapped her hand in a

celain lamp in her othe

shat

arm pierce

ed on in the ceiling. The camera r

no,

and ran for the door

e grabbed her wrist. The other

eamed, kicking wildl

her. Just restrained her and dr

ught h

n he ap

ew like a phantom from the shad

et this time. His dark hair was tousled, his eyes sh

" he sai

uards

er chest heaving, ey

e pet-and then you act like I'm the cr

nd her. The cool breeze from outside swept through

d you,"

you think I'm go

actions have

ou going to do? Hit me? Lock me in a dungeon?

crossed his face-go

he ordered

ped back. One closed the

in the room, moonlight bleedin

tood he

the space between them. His voice, when

ng jailor. You are here because your fa

sold

s burned into

hed at th

ed. "I don't expect you to understand me. But I

thank you for not breaking my bones? For

he said. "Just one

le

e added, voice lower now. "Even

breath

utright. But there was a promise in his tone-a

t part? She

lked away, not sparin

ght wind, sharp with the scent of col

ot from cold, but from the wei

't just c

sychologic

win, she'd have to

afford anot

uldn't obey. And she sure

will

ew the truth a

a way to tear it