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I saw his blue eyes flick toward Ignatius as my love leaned over Laura to view the necklace as she showed it to him.

“Father Ignatius just arrived a few nights ago,” I explained. “He’s a dear friend. ”

“I can see that. ” Percy regarded me in such a way that I was afraid I was blushing. “I wish I could stay and visit with the good Father and my favorite young ladies, but time is short. I must go. ”

“Oh, Percy! We shall miss you!” Laura sighed wistfully.

“Spring will come soon enough,” Percy assured her. “Wear your necklace and I shall always be close to you in spirit. ”

“Always. ” Laura clutched it to her heart.

With the tenderness of an older relative, Percy touched her cheek and then mine. For an instant, I sensed great sorrow in him and I stepped toward him. I do not know what I would have said, but the moment passed as he whirled about and departed into the white world beyond. His form was immediately obscured by the storm. The door shut with a loud boom.

“I miss him already,” Laura wailed.

“I do, too. ” I helped her put on her necklace and she rushed off to show Katya. In silence I gazed down at the cameo in my hand. I felt a pang of sadness so deep, I could not fathom what it meant.

“He loves both of you like a father would,” Ignatius stated, his words slicing through the quiet.

“He is such a dear man. ”

Ignatius kissed my cheek before plucking the necklace from my palm. Gently, he strung it about my neck and fastened it. I pressed my hand to it and wondered what had brought about the sorrow in Percy’s gaze.

“You are far away from me,” Ignatius said in a hushed voice. “What concerns you so?”

Forcing my thoughts away from my friend, I told Ignatius about Csilla poisoning Laura and hastening her death. “And Brice is now poisoning Csilla with the same belladonna. ”

Ignatius pressed his mouth into a grim line, shaking his head. “Dramatic lot, aren’t they all?”

“She is fading away swiftly. I can see death upon her. I knew I was drinking quite a lot of her blood, but the poison is only making her death approach that much more swiftly. If she dies too soon, I fear that we may draw the suspicion of the local authorities. Laura was buried alive and her parents murdered. That is scandal enough. ”

“Yet many will die this winter. If you are intent on killing her, what difference will it make when she dies?” Ignatius asked.

“You think me cruel for doing this, don’t you?” I stomped my foot at him and walked briskly in the direction of the parlor.

Ignatius strode along behind me. “I don’t think you cruel, Glynis. I think your desire for vengeance is understandable. ”

I whirled about on him. “Yet, I can see it in your eyes that you do not approve. ”

“Darling I do not approve. I have seen what the consuming need for vengeance can inflict upon a person’s soul. ”

“I have no soul!”

“Do you truly believe that?”

“I don’t know! But I do know that she helped murder my

family and that she inflicts cruelty among others as well. Is it so wrong that I seek my own justice?” I sounded desperate even to myself. I was trying so very hard to justify my actions I realized that perhaps I did feel guilt. The deaths of Sir Stephan and Maria had horrified me. At first I thought perhaps it was because Laura had killed them and not me. But they were dead all the same and in some way by my own actions. Yet I could find no solace in their demise.

“No, it is not wrong if it is justice you truly seek. ”

A scream echoed through the palace and we all started at the sound. I realized it was Csilla and rushed to her room. The sound of footsteps informed me that my companion was close behind. Dashing up the staircase, I heard her scream again.

“Who is screaming?” Laura’s voice called out from below.

“Csilla! Something is wrong. ”

Another scream rang through the house.