Fast and salty, Clare Parker knew, so she asked, "Why am I fit to drink a warm drink?"

"If you drink a warm drink, you have to drink it slowly. It suits your gentle temperament. Isn't it right?" Veronica Parker gave her the water cup. "Take it. I'm afraid my hands are unstable."

Clare reached for the water cup and wondered what Veronica was thinking.

What she said was all good, so why was she pretending to be a good person?

The corner of Veronica's mouth raised a few invisible radiance when the kettle flickered and the water poured into Clare's hand--

"Ah!" Clare screamed from the heat. With a...