aide
rping of crickets and the rustle of leaves. My lungs burned, and my legs ached
exertion. It was the drug. The sedative Cora had put in my soup. Its effects
woods and be found by a patrol in the morning.
rdened within me.
he wilderness. It was inside the walls of that estate. I couldn't fight it as a fugit
ched into my mind from years of childhood exploration. I took a long, circuitous r
tones. The manor was quiet, the drama of my "escape" having moved to the front of
ed the door open. It was empty.
cou
their involvement, to prevent the plan from unraveling before they could spin their story. They
rved wooden base until I found the hidden latch. A small compartment
gency a
ot Celena, prepare this for me. It was a powerful detoxifying agent, capable of neutralizing most c
and drank the contents in one swallow
an to clear, but it came with a price. The potent herbs
t life, sharp and ag
I saw Ashley, her arm around my shoulder in a sisterly embrace, her eyes gleaming with
ous life. I saw my personal maid, Cora Hayes, her face pale and her hands trembling slightly as she stirred my e
mundane, so domestic
lling her that I suspected something, that I had a hidden antidote
I clenched my fists, my short, clean nails digging into my palms
tion was a weapon, and I would not l
the dirt from my face, and walked to the bel
s later, the
saw me and her eyes widened. A flicker of pure panic crosse
Are you feeling alright?" Her voice wa
her composure began to crumble under my cold, steady gaze. I noticed a flicker of confusion in her eyes, but
tep back, a prima
almost conversational, but it cut thro
, Cora," I said, my eyes never l
d into a million pieces. The pitcher slipped from her grasp and crashed
u're talking about," she stammered
ust inches away. I leaned in, my voice droppi
," I said softly. "And I k
crumpled to the floor, a heap of terror and guilt. She expect
down at her, my ex
d of any emotion. "I'm going
an what Ashley or Juliana could ever inspire. She was looking at me, but she was seeing
down her face, grabbing at the chance
d smile touc
awn was on
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