Wolfsbane

Cassidy

I didn't hear the gasps.

Didn't see the shocked faces.

Didn't feel the weight of Kieran's grip slipping from mine.

All I saw was my mother running.

And I ran after her.

I could hear my name being called—Celeste maybe, or Elara—but the pounding of my heartbeat drowned them out. The delicate fabric of my dress tangled around my legs as I pushed through the corridor, breath short, chest heaving.

She had disappeared through the eastern hall.

The staff entrance.

I took the turn without thinking.

I found her outside, behind the estate, knees in the grass, her arms wrapped around herself like they were the only thing keeping her from falling apart.

"Mom," I gasped, dropping beside her. "Mom—please."

She didn't look at me.

Her voice was barely a whisper. "He was supposed to be gone. I thought I escaped him."