Blackwood Estate — Morning

The sun rose as the sun had risen previously—its light filtering through leaded glass windows, flowing over gold trim and old frames. But the warmth never reached the opposite side of the house.

Not to where Leya was, in bare feet on a cold kitchen floor at 5:03 a.m., elbow-deep in soapy water.

She'd risen early, before the birds broke day. Her day started before sunup and late in the moonlight that poured on the walls of stone.

She worked quietly, the ...