The hooded man did not set Liera down gently. He released his grip, and she slumped to the stone floor like a marionette with severed strings. Verona's heart lurched, her shadow-bindings finally slackening as the stranger diverted his focus. She scrambled across the straw, her hands trembling as she reached for her sister.
"Liera? Liera, look at me," Verona whispered, pulling the girl's limp body into her lap.
Liera's head lulled back. Her hazel eyes were wide, but the warmth was gone. They were glazed over with a shimmering, oily violet film that moved like smoke behind her corneas. She didn't blink. She didn't even seem to feel Verona's touch.
"What did you do to her?" Verona roared, looking up at the Duke.
