Adeline's face was drained of blood. She felt her fingers tremble, as she took a shaky step backwards. Placing her hand over her mouth, she tried to register the extremities of his words.
"For your sake," Elias clarified, in a lowered voice. He approached the staircase and walked upwards, stopping directly a step below her. He grasped her lone hand, and clasped their fingers together, bringing her closer.
Adeline shook her head and tried to let go, but he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him. He enveloped her in a hug, his lips pressed upon the side of her head.
"Did you know your uncle had your mother at his mercy years ago?"
