risoner in

from the outside. He hadn't

ll. The lo

hat was tied loosely, revealing her collarbone. T

er, the lack of one. Julian smelled of sandalwood and expensive tobacco. Sc

oo perfect. Too round. It looked like it had been

ay on the bedside table. "He asked me to bring you t

not h

r voice dropping the sweet fa

was dark, thick. It smelled bitter.

n it?" Av

" Scarlett smiled. I

her lips, feigning compliance. Then, with a

k liquid splattered everywhere-over th

w herself onto the floor, grabbing a sha

screamed. "J

ed down the hall.

r, clutching her bleeding h

ett sobbed. "I tried to hel

Avery. His eyes

knelt beside Scarlett, wrapping

aid calmly. She was sitting on the bed, he

barking sound. "She spent three hours m

Scarlett up

. "And if you break anything else

ed Scarl

small, empty vial of perfume from her vanity. She knelt on the rug and

pped t

was locked in. She tucked the vial into her bra, against

one she had hidden in a hollowe

she whispered. "She'