Shadows In The Fire

rtains of her hospital room, were the first thing she saw. The voices were quie

cold and impersonal. How long had she been here? The last t

wollen. Had he hit her so hard and carelessly? He w

g back to her. It was foggy, but not completely indiscernible. It was always like this. She always had to

Children's Charity Ball, her

s in her life, had assuaged her, causing her to scream in fear, wildly pushing Nolan away and fleeing the ballroom i

ake, screaming, as the flames scorched

where Nolan found her, si

n you have caused this family? Do you know how many investors were there?

ng at the verbal insult. She was used to it by now. Her expressive

she said softly.' The vis

gging her off the bed by her flowing dar

e, it would only make t

g and good name, do you think I need a goddamn lunatic for a wife? This marriage

ected with her face and everything went blan

heard the door open and a

opened her eyes. This

swered. 'I am

felt odd, as if the name di

scare last night, after the fall yo

spin Nolan put on it. She

led her down it himself, an old trick of his. He k

ed her down the stairs and left her lying there till the paramedics arr

re, his money rendered him above reproach. It also helped that h

ed, 'but luckily both of you are okay. In your

both'. Had Nolan in his abusive zest taken a tumb

u and your baby are bo

........

ish Coas

old Esther said, 'and sometimes when

ds on her apron, her he

daughters has inherited my gift, the one th

ble, terrified at the thought that Tobias, her husband, would find out

h Magnus, the most feared witchfinder in all the land.

'Esther continued in her little girl vo

hilda asked, a bit more forcefu

. they told me

....

stood still as Dr. M

rol pills once. The last thing she ever wanted was to give Nolan a child. The thought of involving a baby in their taw

regnant? 'she asked, disbelie

along and after the tumble you took, you'r

s carrying Nolan's child, the gran

nd know? About

asn't been

ver you do, do

nd. Surely this is something to

. . . my husband must ne