“Elena! Bring me the whip!” he said, in a barely audible tone. And although mother and Elena had exited the place, I knew Elena’s ears would have picked up the instruction.

Elena came with the whip, admiring it like a lovely artifact as she brought it over to our father. I scoffed inwardly. So it was time, huh? Let the dance begin. I wished I could fight with my father. As soon as I had wished it, I quickly drowned the devil’s voice from my head. Even Lance was incapable of taking down my father so easily. With assistance from Gray maybe but alone, I think not, the battle will...