Chapter 127. The Bloodstained Sigil

Elizabeth’s POV

When I woke, the bed beside me was empty. I sat up and gazed at the smooth, untouched sheets. Daniel had vanished sometime during the night. My stomach clenched, but I pushed the worry aside. Perhaps he had urgent matters to attend.

I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and rose, brushing my fingers across my cheek. The room felt eerily silent. Gathering my skirts around me, I moved to the full-length mirror by the dresser—only to freeze at my reflection.

A small, dark circle rested above my collarbone, just under the flesh of my throat. My mouth hung open in growing horror as I reached a trembling hand to touch it. The circle pulsed faintly beneath my fingers, almost alive. My breath caught in my throat.

What was happening to me? What had gone wrong? Only moments ago, the worst of my symptoms—vomiting blood, searing pain—had subsided. Now this…this new, ominous marking. I felt a shiver run through me, as though ice water had been poured do