Karenina

Later that afternoon, while out in the garden with Raine, she saw the child playing happily, even trying to ask Helga to dance with her, much to her amusement. Karen raised her hands to hide her grin, trying and failing to look sympathetic in front of a disappointed Helga. Helga gave her a quick look, begging to be saved, and with a small laugh she couldn't contain, Karen got to her feet, intending to help her friend by distracting the excited child.  

Just as she took the first step to intervene, her eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat as if she had been punched in the face,...