Valerie awoke, praying to the goddess she hadn't.
She was aware that every part of her body was stiff and sore, and she was afraid to test it by moving. She was also afraid to test the guards in charge of her, so she didn't open her eyes, but feigned sleep. It gave her a chance to prepare herself for the day confronting her, and for the torture awaiting her.
The events of the past few days seemed jumbled and distorted, even wildly exaggerated. Like a bizarre nightmare. But it was no dream; the hard floor of the jail testified to her actual presence here, somewhere in the basement of the mansion.
She had been lashing out at herself out of hurt more than fear, hurt and disappointment. Today she felt saner, calmer. She was the naive fool for inviting Mark's attention, and then secretly har
