Morvienne had stumbled out of the mansion and into the night air, the cold air hitting her face like a slap, but inside her chest a fire burned hotter than any winter wind. She pressed a hand to her throat, feeling the pulse jump under her fingertips as she made her way out of the pack, wanting to be far away from everything as much as she could.

"It's not true," she whispered, voice cracking like dry wood as her breath came in short, ragged gasps. "It can't be. I'm not wrong. I'm... I'm the victim. I'm the one who lost everything. Me! My pain! I lost everything!" The words...