d was Helene's franti

heart monitor was a steady rhythm beside me. Helene was asleep in a chair, her face tear-staine

as powerful, more than capable of tracking a pho

ad sav

ed, her eyes flying ope

xture of relief and fury. "Who did this to y

was Conrad," I whispered, t

slammed her fist on the side of the bed

im," she seethed. "I

surprisingly firm. "H

o argue, but she saw the look i

ainkillers. My back was a patchwork of bandages, and the d

t of bed, leaning heavily on Helene. We were w

and K

g pale and fragile. Conrad was pushing her, his expression

the same hospital. Kassidy,

l was so stark, so cru

growl escaped her lips. "

ther direction, but I stood my

oser, Conrad looked up. His eyes, o

" he sneered, as if my ve

e you doing here, you piece of shit? Doting on this fake-sick l

ch your mouth, Helene. This

with me!" she shot back.

d gently pushed past her. I loo

ice dripping with sarcasm. "Sending men to whip

tly. "You had me ki

ance? satisfaction?-crossed his face. "You deserved

t puni

wounds. I would be scarred for life.

p breath, st

with all the strength

his cheek echoed in the quiet hallw

e. A red handprint bloomed

own body, aggravating the wounds on my back, but I b

e shaking but clear. "I did des

ression on his face, the first crac

Conrad," I said. "For three years, I was blin

k of fury. He took a step t

threw herself in front of

attention of nurses and other patients. "Everyone, look! Tech mog

e staring,

," Helene said,

tanding there, his handprint

p a bouquet of flowers that had fallen

his heel, but his voice was soft as he spoke to

nd cold and full of murder,