Page 248 of Bound By Crimson

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A thread tying them together.

Not with words.

But with survival.

She crawled back through the narrow passage and climbed the creaking stairs.

Back into the attic.

Back into the dark.

She wouldn’t escape tonight.

But now she had a way.

And soon—she would use it.

Chapter Ninety-Three

Feral

The attic had gone quiet again.

The light was gone, swallowed by nightfall, and with it, the small comfort it brought.

Lyric sat against one of the support beams, her mother’s locket warm against her chest, her father’s cardigan wrapped tightly around her.

She stared at the wall across from her, willing herself not to cry.

Then she heard it.

Footsteps.

Sharp. Controlled.

Editha.

Her voice curled up the stairs like smoke.

“I brought you some food.”

Lyric didn’t move.

“Don’t get too excited,” Editha continued. “I just don’t want you dying up there and stinking up the place.”

Lyric slowly stood and approached the attic door but didn’t open it.

“Will you come down and eat?”

Lyric laughed—dry and bitter.

“Eat your poisoned food? Ha.”

Silence.

Then Editha replied, sounding almost bored.

“No, dear. I won’t waste my time trying to do that right now. You’d just make a mess. You’re too—feral.”

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