nket, her skin prickling with a chill the fire couldn't chase away. She bli

ut the bruises whisper

resh fruit, warm bread, dark chocolate, and a cup

dn't t

the bed and padded sil

it opened with

ring, the floor a polished stone that made her feel small and barefoot

d something else.

ld wall for balance. Her breath caught as she passed portraits-

en she

mi

wrought iron that twisted like vines. The glass shimm

ection was there, faint but real-yet somethi

rned s

o

ttle thing,

lk and steel, an

was right behind her. She hadn'

like a

ror. Cold bit her spine

t be out here

t the do

are feet, then rose to her mouth.

st

pt y

fr

essed harder against the mirror's chilled surface. He di

she asked, her voice thinn

eliberately-and brushed a

t?" he said softly

e, to scream, but something in his voice

now ghosting down her jawline. "But you're

ngerous," s

" he said

, and just like th

rming back toward the room

a," he called. "You'l

, spine straight, trying t

t?" she

use.

choos

ask what

afraid she a