Chapter 3

The wound on my head became infected. I was delirious with fever, lacking even the strength to lift a wet garment. The matron, seeing me idle, threw a bucket of cold water over me.

"Playing dead, are you? Beat her," she ordered.

The cane rained down on my back. I clenched my teeth against my lip, refusing to cry out until the salt and iron of my own blood filled my mouth.

"Stop," a sweet voice interrupted. It was Vanessa. She swept into the room in a gown of vibrant scarlet, her golden hairpieces chiming with every step. Flanked by…