Chapter 110: The Children (3)

That night I sat before the fire, a blanket wrapped around me, staring at the flames as the wind howled outside. I didn't look. I didn't want to in case any phantom children tried to lure me outside in the snowstorm. 

There were only fifteen children left. Five 'infected'. Those five were also blindfolded now for fear that they could hypnotise people into undoing their restraints after the woman earlier claimed she didn't know what she had been doing and felt influenced.

The servants who had been bitten were now showing signs of a fever and were in the infirmary. Eryx and Alaric shared a look and I didn't stay, aware of what they had to do. Instead I sought after the healthy children, needing to see their progress, and lighten the weight on my heart.