Evelyn's wrists were sore from being bound tightly behind her back. The cold, damp cell smelled of rot, and the stone floor where her knees rested sent chills through her body. She was wide awake, having spent hours awaiting something to happen, someone to finally tell her what her sin was that left her open to whatever horrible fate awaited. She could scarcely recall Marcus' voice, the heat from his arm grazing his body alongside hers, and then-there was nothing.

With a creak, the door swung open. Light spilled into the room, casting somewhat of an eerie black sheen across the rough stone walls. A tall woman strode into the...