ey Oliv

o the brute's clothes, turning my stomach as I

by his ankles tow

burned with sharp, stinging exhaustion by the time I hoiste

came

s completely bare. I hauled her onto the bed, arranging her limp arms around Cletus's neck

ne from the rickety side table and tipped it across the sheets, letti

d the crackle of pine torches e

were

ed my fingernails through my tangled silver hair, making it a wild, disheveled mess,

owered my chin, and let my shoulders tremble

h the oak panels. "The shameful little whore is inside with her street m

lammed into th

ing crash, bouncing off the stone wal

ing fresh carrion, flanked by five armed house guar

dered face was twisted

ght the Oliver family strips you of you

choked in

illuminated the bed, painting every inc

her in a grotesque, naked embrace, surroun

ockets. Her jaw went slack, the heavy layers of whi

ed, her voice cracking into a high

the men cleared their throats, hastily averting their gazes from

ner, I let out a

my voice raspy and choked with terror. "T

d, staring at me hu

ipping a lethal dose of paralytic powder into my tea just three hours ago. By

ed, pointing a quivering, ring-laden

rward, a woman stepped o

concubine and Gertrude's primary enforce

wolfless runt must have used some vile hedge-witch poison on them! Look at Sadie and Ruby-they are strong en

at the lifeline l

enom. "Bind this filthy creature! Drag her to the dungeon and han

servants stepped forward f

ants with leather laundry paddles. Both carried thick hemp ropes, thei

out a massive, calloused hand to seize my torn

letting my body shake

hair, my tears dried instantly, repl