Page 112 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

I held my sister close to my chest, brushing her hair with my palm. “I am sorry,” I whispered. Her golden strands were now red, her full pink lips were now pale. Her empty green eyes stared into nothingness behind me. “I am so sorry.”

Several steps rushed into the room as my hands tightened around Sandra’s shoulders. I could not let them take her from me. I would not let them separate us.

“Cordelia?” A familiar voice broke through the walls in my mind. The voice sounded so real, so close. “Cordelia.”

I shook my head, not letting go of Sandra’s body in my arms. “Don’t take her,” I whispered. “Please don’t take her.”

“Oh, dear Gods,” another familiar voice joined in. Florence.

“Please don’t take her,” I pleaded.

“Francis, the guards are coming this way, we have to hurry,” Roxanne said.

“We must go.” Two pairs of hands pulled me from Sandra. “I’m so sorry.”

My vision blurred when Roxanne and Florence dragged me out of the dungeon. “No!”

“Get her out of here,” Caleb instructed. “There is a passage in the back, get away as far as possible.” He handed Francis his sword, “You know what you need to do, brother.”

Francis took the sword from Caleb’s hands, squeezing the handle. “Don't ever call me that again,” he said, putting the sword straight through Caleb’s stomach. “If I see you near her again, the blade will be royal steel.”

Chapter 44

Goodbye, Lia

My eyes fluttered open when her excruciating scream forced my mind to wake. Pushing the sheets aside, I rushed to the bathing chamber in my room as my stomach emptied itself out.

Tears escaped my eyes, burning my cheeks as I washed my face with cold water. My lungs exploded with every breath I took, though it might have been my heart.

Sandra’s screams never quieted, her blood never washed off my hands.

I stared at my reflection, not recognizing the person I saw and yet recognized her all too well.

I’d killed my sister.

Kane had killed my little Frederick and Eleanor.

I stared at my reflection and swore to the Moon that I will find every being responsible.

And I shall kill them one by one.