Chapter 6. The Captive

There were no mirrors in the room. But he didn’t need one to know what he looked like. Pale. Thin. His lips split. His eyes too wide, too empty. He could still hear Zayn’s voice: “He breathes because I allow it.”

Lucien closed his eyes.

He wasn’t safe.

He wasn’t home.

He didn’t know if anyone was coming to save him. He didn’t even know if he wanted them to.

Downstairs, the wives had moved to the drawing room. The one in cream poured herself tea with careful grace.

“Zayn,” she said without turning around, “you brought home a stranger.”

“Not your concern, Daisy.”

Daisy turned now, her smile tight. “Everything under this roof is my concern.”

The other woman, in the wine-colored dress, stepped forward. “Who is he?”

Zayn poured himself a drink, ignoring both of them.

“Is he staying?” Daisy asked.

“For now.”

“He looked barely alive.”

Zayn’s eyes flicked up. “You’ll stay away from him. Both of you.”

D