Eleanor's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Elise always was stronger than I gave her credit for. Fifteen years in a coma, and she still managed to ruin my plans." She coughed, a wet, rattling sound. "I suppose I should have pulled the plug when I had the chance."

Luna felt Grayson tense beside her, but he kept his voice level. "Why, Eleanor? Why any of this?"

"Why?" Eleanor laughed, the sound bitter and hollow. "Because I gave everything to men who saw me as nothing. ...