Elyse jumped off the stool.
And then…
The rope gave. Elyse crashed onto the stone floor, gasping, wide-eyed. Hadrian sagged in relief, tears streaking his filthy face.
Lorraine's laugh rang out, cold and delighted as she looked at Elyse, who was stunned. "Did you truly think you'd be allowed to leave so easily?"
Elyse's voice tore itself raw again in a scream of pure despair. Death had denied her. There was no escape. Only pain was left for her. She screamed, unable to handle it.
The man in black raised his whip. The crack resounded, followed by Elyse's ragged shriek.
Hadrian fainted once more.
