Chapter 2

I scrambled up, my dress tearing on the cobblestone, and threw myself at the carriage door just as it swung open. 

"Mom! Dad!" I sobbed, collapsing into my father’s chest as he stepped down. "Help me! Please, they’re trying to force me to abort my baby! Again!"

My mother gasped, stepping out behind him. She took one look at my bruised wrists and tear-streaked face, and her eyes flashed with anger. 

"What is the meaning of this?" my mother snapped, marching right up to Lady Hale. "Brinley married into this family to be your daughter-in-law, not your punching bag! You treat her like this?"

"We demand an explanation," my father added, his voice booming across the courtyard. "You can't just drag our daughter around. We won't stand for it!"

I clung to my father’s coat. I had written to them secretly a week ago, begging them to come today. After going through the last two abortions completely alone, I knew I needed my family. I needed someone on my side.

Lord and Lady Hale didn’t flinch. They didn't even look guilty. 

"Brinley is pregnant," Lord Hale said coldly. "And the child cannot stay. Let us take this inside."

He turned and walked back into the manor. Lady Hale followed. 

My parents exchanged a confused look but guided me inside, back into the grand parlor. 

The moment we stepped in, that damn bird was waiting. 

The one-eyed raven was perched on the mantelpiece. The second I walked in, it tilted its head, fixing that dead, inky eye on my stomach. 

It opened its beak.

"Cast it out. Abort the child."

I shuddered, pressing my back against my mother. "See? They’re listening to a bird! A bird, Mom!"

But my mother didn't say anything. I felt her stiffen. I looked up. Both of my parents were staring at the raven, their faces suddenly drained of color. They exchanged a long, heavy look with Lord and Lady Hale. It was a look of quiet, terrifying understanding.

Then, my father turned to me. His expression was completely shut down.

"Brinley," he said slowly. "You have to abort this child."

"What?" I whispered, my brain short-circuiting.

"Listen to your father," my mother said, her voice hard. "Be good. Go to the clinic with your in-laws."

"Are you crazy?!" I yelled, backing away from them. "How can you listen to a bird? That’s your grandchild in here! I have medical reports! The doctors said the baby is perfect!"

I frantically dug the crumpled medical dossier out of my pocket and shoved it at my father. "Look at it! Just look at it!"

He slapped the papers out of my hand. They fluttered to the floor. 

"Stop making a scene!" he barked. 

"Grow up, Brinley," my mother said. 

I stared at them. The people who were supposed to protect me. They were throwing me to the wolves. 

Rage, hot and blinding, exploded in my chest. If that bird was the reason they were doing this, then I would kill the damn bird. 

I lunged for the mantelpiece, my hands raised to snap its neck. 

"No!" my father roared. He grabbed my shoulders and yanked me back. 

My mother stepped up and slapped me across the face. Hard. 

The crack echoed in the parlor. My ears rang. 

"Stop embarrassing us!" she screamed. "Get it together and go abort that thing right now!"

Before I could recover, the estate guards were on me. They dragged me up the stairs and threw me into the tower bedroom. The heavy oak door slammed shut, and the lock clicked. 

I scrambled to the door, pounding on it until my knuckles bled. "Let me out! Please!"

An hour later, the lock clicked again. I backed away, terrified. 

It was Sophia. Lady Hale’s niece. She walked in holding a steaming wooden tray, a sweet, perfect smile plastered on her flawless face. 

"Don’t be so upset, Brinley," she cooed, setting the tray on the nightstand. "It’s bad for your health. I brought you some soothing soup. Drink it."

She looked back toward the open door. Lady Hale was standing in the hall. Sophia caught her eye, and a triumphant, nasty little smirk flashed across her face. 

My stomach churned. Something was wrong. The way she looked at me...

I glanced past her to the open window. It was a drop, but maybe I could make it to the trellis. I bolted for it. 

I didn't make it two steps. Two guards stepped in from the hall, blocking the window. 

Lord and Lady Hale walked in right behind them. Lord Hale carried a thick coil of rope. 

"Tie her to the bed," he ordered. 

"No! Get off me!" I screamed as the guards grabbed me. They threw me onto the mattress. I kicked and bit, but it was no use. Lord Hale bound my wrists and ankles to the bedposts, pulling the ropes so tight they burned my skin. 

Lady Hale walked in from the adjoining room. In her hands was a large porcelain bowl filled with a thick, black liquid. The smell of bitter herbs hit me, and I gagged. It was the same drug they used the last two times. 

"Lady Hale, please!" I sobbed, thrashing against the ropes. "I’ve served you for three years! I do everything you ask! Please don't do this!"

She stirred the black sludge with a spoon, not even looking at me. 

"I'll do anything!" I begged. "Just let me keep my baby! He's three months old! He hasn't done anything wrong! Please let him live!"

I twisted my head, looking desperately at the doorway. My parents were standing there, watching. 

"Mom! Dad! Do something!" I screamed. "I already lost two babies! I can't lose this one! I'm your daughter! Don't let them do this to me!"

They just stood there. Silent. 

"The raven said it can't stay, Brinley," Lady Hale said coldly, stepping up to the bed. "Don't blame us. This child just doesn't belong in our family."

"She’s right," Lord Hale added from the foot of the bed. "You can get pregnant again. Sophia will help you recover. This one is gone."

My parents didn't say a single word. Their silence was a death sentence.

The memory of the excruciating cramps, the blood, the agonizing loss from the last two times crashed over me. 

Lady Hale grabbed my jaw, her fingers digging painfully into my cheeks, and brought the bowl to my lips...