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Reaching over, I grab the hairbrush from the little drawer in the desk and begin to brush through my hair. Then the real work begins. Taking small sections at a time, I braid my hair from scalp to tip. When I reach the end of a second, I tuck the end of the braid into itself until it’s securely knotted. I work through quadrants and sections, one section after the next under the glow of the sconces.

After a few hours, my eyes droop, and I shake my head. I drink a glass of water and splash a little over my face. The chilly air wakes me for a beat, then I’m back to wanting to crash into my pillow.

Not yet. I still have half of my head to go.

It’s well into the night, and my fingers are shaking, but I’m done at last.

Taking a deep breath, I pull my necklace over my head, moving the aspen leaf between my fingers. I could use this on him if he comes for me, hit him in the right spot. But what would his security do? What if he turns it against me?

No, this is the best use for now. Hair grows.

Clicking open the aspen leaf, I go through the sections of braids. Cutting off strand after strand, letting them drop to the floor. My head feels light, and my entire body feels cold. I never realized how much warmth my hair provided. Draping my necklace back over my head, I tuck it into my dress. I run my hand over my head; I’ve left half an inch over most of it, while some sections are nearly cut bald.

I begin to weave and knot the sections together. By the time I’m finished, I’m left with several feet of rope.

Cain was right; it’s beautiful.

Walking over to the door, I snuff out the sconce beside it, then I wrap my hair around the knob and fasten it to the sconce handle.

If he comes for me, he won’t get in. Or at the very least, I’ll have a fair warning. Taking a deep breath, I walk back to my bed and climb beneath the covers. Luckily, there are several blankets. I might stay warm enough.

With the door secure and my body cocooned in blankets, I close my eyes.

I need to rest for my next opportunity.

Violet

Chapter 36

Roman was taken aback by my haircut.

Then he insisted on knowing how I had cut it and where my hair went.

I woke up early the morning after, slipped my cup under my pillow, and pressed on it until it broke into a few large shards, then left them on my nightstand. When he asked where my hair went, I told him I flushed it. Luckily, he didn’t press further. My rope is safely tucked away under my mattress, and the blade inside my pendant remains a secret.

When he brought me down for breakfast, I was pleasantly surprised that Marcus had sent someone out to grab antibiotics and pain medication for Daphne. Then my stomach dropped. Not only does that mean Dr. Frolov is giving out medication illegally, but he could very well know that Daphne is here.

Maybe he knows I’m here…

Anyway, this all happened a few days ago. Daphne’s been asking Marcus to let me spend time with her in the sitting room. Under guard, of course. But we have space to talk.

“Good morning!” Daphne smiles when I enter the dining room. “I made breakfast with Masha today. Marc got chocolate from the market, so we made muffins.” She holds a plate out in front of her with two muffins loaded with chocolate chips.

“What a treat.” I take the plate, kissing her on the cheek before sitting down. She sits next to me, and for the first time since I got here, we are left alone. It’s enjoyable when the tyrant isn’t around.

But it doesn’t last long.

Heavy steps walk down the hall. Daphne’s expression goes from happy, warm, with smile wrinkles forming at her cheeks, to porcelain.

Marcus takes a seat at the head of the table, setting a small plastic cup on the table with a tap. My eyes dart to it when he taps it again, then slides it in front of me. “Take these,” he says.

My stomach falls, my heart jumps a beat faster. My mouth fills with saliva, and I think I might throw up.

Not again.

I’m having deja vu.

“No.” I shake my head.