*ELYSIA*
A deep swell of compassion overwhelmed me as I looked at the terrible state Steven had been left in.
How can anyone be this cruel?
Why would someone commit such an inhumane act on a teenage boy?
Just because he challenged him? That's why someone who was meant to be a father figure resolved to end the life of a promising young boy. That's monstrous, callous, diabolical— call it whatever you want, it doesn't matter. Regardless, I don't intend to let this slide.
"How old were you, Steven?"
"I ought to be seventeen in two days, my lady."
His answer struck me like a blow to the chest.
What?
Two days before his birthday?
I got up from the bed, splitting my concern for Drayton to Steven. Not that my fiance was no longer important, but since he asked me not to interfer
