The hostility in the air was suffocating, thick enough to choke on. Penrose moved closer, her stance protective as if she meant to shield me from an unseen attack. Then, out of nowhere, a hand struck my cheek. The slap came so fast and landed with such force that it knocked me to the floor.

A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, the sharp aftermath of the blow making my head feel as though it might burst. For several seconds, I stayed there, disoriented, before my eyes slowly lifted, ...