Cold water hit Nikolai's face. He jerked awake, coughing and spitting.

His body screamed with pain. Every muscle hurt. His ribs felt broken.

"Wake up, lover."

That voice. Sweet as honey but deadly as poison filled him with dread.

Nikolai raised his head. Elise sat in a chair across from him. Her blue eyes watched him like a cat watching a mouse.

"Hello, Elizabeth," he said quietly.

"Don't call me that." Her voice cracked like a whip. "That girl is dead. You killed her."

Nikolai tried to move. His hands were chained to the wall behind him. His feet barely touched the ground.

"I know," he said. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"...