The woman returned with a message to give the maids upstairs a few more minutes to finish their tasks, then they could go up.
“The drug is wearing off,” Michael said as they climbed the steps to the second level. “Elise knew who I was for just a moment when she opened her eyes, but she closed them again after telling me she didn’t go with them willingly.” He paused in front of the door to her room and knocked softly. Looking at Ren, he added, “She’s been asleep since.”
Elise’s maid opened the door and let the men enter. She bobbed a quick curtsy, and Michael watched as Ren went to the bed and stood near the foot. Tears welled in Michael’s eyes when he saw them in his friend’s. His sister’s condition, the bruising on her face and neck which had become more colorful as the day progressed c
