ko'

the stifling silence all about. Though it was one I hated, it was the silence I had become used to l

reak in the wrong location, and here I was-helpless, unprotected, a prisoner of my own house. Nevertheless, the har

d for it, and now it was s

housekeeper, with some menial chore to deflect my own self-p

a time, the woman who had been in my life-part of my suffering-was present. A

eautiful as I remembered. Her current demeanor surprised me as it was far less confident tha

of the hatred or rage I would have expected. Bu

r any flaw in her mask. But all

y in my mouth. " Only, you are more delicate." I wanted to hurt her, wanted her to experience even

n line. She was not obliged of cours

r sister would say. Another item in the little game your f

ere to mock you, Marko," she murmured softly, her voice trembling slightly, revealin

ike the others. Still another piece in their chess game. And you would have me believe that you did not visit for some ot

wasn't here because of a difficult, sincere choice. She was here as that w

aw the loneliness under my wrath and through it, but I

to me. However, you-" Her hands tightened as she stopped herself. "You have no concept of what it's like to be pushed into

chest, but I will not l

e. Never wanted to be, I thought. But I have enough of being shove

ng raw, something desperate in her words stopped

in the doorway. Her big eyes betrayed uncertainty, but they fle

replied in a little voice, startling both of

her face softened. "We will visit the sta

eyes softened as she gazed at her daughter-not at the woman who had

g to see her like

de me. Get her situated. Remember, though-this is not a vacation, Elena.

just exactly why I'm here. You are quite mistaken, though, if you b

us in the air. Was she challenging

fore I could respond b

it here? My pulse sped

acial expression was incomprehensible. Her manner of holding hers

uously. Still, a tiny portion of me

in the room changed. Something approac

face darkened by the low light in

gravelly voice, star

lized everything w

menacing smile curving on hi

er quiete

Another pawn to help me to fall from grace, Elena?" My

e stood there instead, her daughter Mila clinging to her si

hy you're here," I said, looking briefly at Mila. "You be

before she could reply. My blood f