It was then I realized that Katheran had played me. She had left me with Madeleine, especially after what she had said to Madeleine, and it was easy to imagine how angry Madeleine must have been. I had come to be Madeleine's punching bag.
I would be Madeleine's slave for the next three days, and I could not refuse whatever torture I was about to face. My family's life was in Katheran's hands. She had her hands around my neck, and I could not breathe. I had to obey!
"Don't be afraid, little lamb!" Madeleine's fingers gently caressed the hair that hung from my forehead, and she said to me in a sweet, cruel voice, "I will not kill you!"
My lips trembled, and Madeleine looked sharply into my heart. She could sense my fear and unease. This pleased her even more. Perhaps she was already planning to torture me.