Nicodra and Aurora leave at once.

"Helena," David calls, prompting her from the kitchen. "I need to you look after Brigette."

Helena, having heard everything, nods with a paleness to her face. I move around the table as David leaves the dining room. "You will stop this right now, David. I swear to the Goddess I will-I will hold you down myself if I have to."

He takes his phone and holds it to his ear. Everything moves so quickly, that I'm worried I might faint. "Tarlo, come to the house now. Bring Lyde," he says, and that's all it takes.

"Can you just stop for one second," I urge...