Chapter 2
Gray-bearded man yanked my arm. Fingers dug into skin above elbow. Pocket chain swung against dark suit vest with each step. He didn't look back. He pulled.
I stumbled after him. Bare feet slipped on marble. White lace nightgown tangled around knees. Left shoulder throbbed under bandage. Breath came short. I tried to twist free. Grip only tightened.
Bedroom doorway opened onto marble foyer. Cold hit feet first. Then light. Crystal chandelier hung overhead, huge, dripping glass, throwing fractured gold across marble floor and cream walls. Fireplace burned low at far end. Everything smelled like polish and old money.
Older woman followed behind us. Pearl earrings flashed when she moved. Cream Victorian dress rustled. Emerald brooch pinned high at collar caught chandelier light.
"Stop," she said. Voice sharp. "You're hurting her."
Gray-bearded man kept walking. Jaw locked. Beard gray against clenched mouth. He dragged me further under chandelier. Light swung over his shoulders, over my nightgown.
I planted feet. Heels skidded. Marble slick. White nightgown shoulder slipped, exposed white bandage wrapped tight over left shoulder. Blood seeped faint pink at edge. Bandage shifted when he pulled. Pain lanced down arm. I gasped.
Older woman rushed forward. Hand reached for my free arm. Tried to wedge between us.
"Let go," she said to him. Quieter now. Pleading. "Please."
He shoved her hand aside without looking. Shoulder blocked her. Cream dress sleeve brushed marble balustrade as she stumbled back. She didn't fall. Hand caught banister. Pearl earring swung.
"You promised," she said. Breath uneven. "Not like this."
He ignored her. Grip on my arm changed. Fingers slid down to wrist. Same wrist where golden mark had glowed in dusk flash before. Skin remembered heat there. Now only bandage throbbed.
I dug heels in again. Threw weight backward. Nightgown lace tore faintly at hem against marble edge. I leaned away. Muscles strained.
"Stop," I said. First word I managed. Raw.
Gray-bearded man finally glanced down. Eyes gray, hard. No softness.
"Walk," he said.
One word. Stern. Forceful.
I shook head. Planted feet harder. Marble cold burned soles. Chandelier light swam overhead as I looked up, huge, blinding. Crystal facets spun.
Older woman tried again. Stepped around to his side. Grabbed his forearm with both hands. Pulled.
"She can't," she said. "Look at shoulder."
He ripped arm free. Motion hard. Older woman staggered against wall. Emerald brooch knocked against cream fabric. She pressed back against wainscoting, breathing fast, eyes on my bandage.
Drag continued. My feet lost purchase. Body slid forward inch by inch despite planted heels. White bandage now fully visible where nightgown strap had fallen. White gauze stark against pale skin. Blood edge darker now.
I twisted wrist. Tried to break grip with opposite hand. Nails scraped dark suit sleeve. Pocket chain clinked.
Chandelier passed overhead. We moved beyond its center. Marble hall stretched toward tall doorway at far end. Dark wood frame. Outside hallway waited. He pulled toward threshold.
Older woman recovered. Followed close behind. Hand hovered near my back, not touching, afraid to grab and hurt more.
"Where are you taking her?" she called after him.
No answer. Footsteps echoed. His polished shoes. My bare feet slapping marble.
I planted feet one last time at threshold edge. Toes curled against marble seam where foyer met hallway runner. Whole body leaned back. Shoulder screamed under bandage. Breath hitched.
Grip held. Force won. He heaved. I slid over threshold. Nightgown hem caught, then released. Chandelier light fell behind us.
May you like
Behind, older woman's footsteps quickened. Cream dress swished. She didn't stop.
Threshold doorframe rose beside me. Hallway beyond darkened. Drag didn't end.
