Day one of the feast

The sharp knock on the door jolted Issa from her quiet, strategic thoughts. She had just finished mentally mapping out the strange chamber, noting the high window, the sturdy door to the corridor, and inspecting the silent link to Val's room. She had practiced keeping her face blank and her shoulders straight. She was ready. As ready as a lamb led to the slaughter could be.

"Come in," she called out, her voice sounding surprisingly steady.

The heavy door opened, and ...