The gloom in the chamber did little to hide the wreck of a man lying under the covers of the large four poster bed. Andre must have chosen this bedroom for its lack of windows. Perhaps he had no desire to see outside any longer, to feel the breath of fresh air on his decaying cheeks.

I thought I was prepared for this, after the day I'd had. After knowing he was literally disintegrating from the curse Charlotte placed on him. But I honestly had ...