Chapter 57

Christine and Stone were laughing together amicably enough, but caught between them, Adele felt as though she couldn't breathe under the killing intent radiating from both sides. The air felt as deadly as two blades locked together, each man watching for the instant to strike.

It was Stone who sheathed his blade first. Or rather — it would be more accurate to say he turned that blade on Adele instead.

"Well. Getting along for a while longer wouldn't be so bad, I suppose."

He was still smiling, but a chill crawled over Adele's skin. An old memory from House Oswald rose up in her mind.

Stone, who'd always had a taste for hunting, used to catch wild animals, tie a long rope to one of their legs, and let them go. The animals would bolt, running for their lives with everything they had.

But the instant he yanked the rope,…