The Silence Before Her Storm

e didn't say another word.

ing hand. She laid the wreckage out on her vanity, trying to piece it back together,

andkerchief. She would find a master craftsman to f

dra, leaning against the frame, a

oice a low taunt. "He and Anton, they love seeing you h

you," Alexia replied, her voice tired.

e's using. And soon, you'll be out of the picture compl

e stood up to leave, but

ou think yo

Alexia said, her vo

dra grabbed her arm. Alexia shoved

trical shock. She let out a piercing shriek as she

ed through the

nton were there, running t

cried, cradling

xia pushed me down the stairs! She said... she sai

strange and intricate mechanisms executing a shared, inexorable program. Their eyes held not malice, but a c

emselves into an expression of severe, theatrical fur

d, nodding toward Alexia, "she is overwrought. She requires a lesson in co

demanded, a dreadful chill beginning

ion," Jacob said, his voice chil

e. They were

ying!" Alexia screamed, backing

anding beside his father. "You're just jealous, Mom. This is

d her. She fought, sh

shrieked, her voice abraded

dge of the landing, Alexia shoved back with all her might. One of the guards, caught

landing, and the impact sent a jarring shock through her jaw, forcing her teeth together with such violence that sh

hing she saw was Jacob and Anton.

per, his voice filled with a disturbing sort of ha

the last sound she heard

s not merely broken; it was ground into du

familiar, sterile prison. Every i

You gave us all quite a scare. Your husban

ched. He was a good a

bout to wake up," the nurse continued, oblivious. "He said he

it came out as a pained cough. Of course he left.

m. She knew where he was. He was wit

recovering alone. The physical pain was imm

h a divorce agreement. She signed it without a second thought, her

nd Kassandra, looking like a happy family. Kassandra

ers in her hand, took a deep b

t the folde