Bianca spent the next few days in a state of fugue. She ate when her Master came to hold her and feed her; she slept when they wrapped their arms around her and held her to their warm bodies. She washed and dressed in a nightmare state, going about her motions like a zombie. Poor little Cian watched his Mommie, wondering why she was so distant seeming to ignore him, look through him.

Beth and Anna had left. While the twins did not hold Bianca responsible, Beth seemed to be colder and ...