Evergreen held the cup to his lips, and the boy hesitated, his eyes wide with fear. Evergreen's expression darkened again, her fingers tightening around the cup. "Drink it," she commanded, her voice low and dangerous.
He had no choice. Trembling, he parted his lips and allowed her to tip the cup, the warm liquid sliding down his throat. The taste was strange, bitter, but he didn't dare resist. As he drank, he felt his body grow heavy, his eyelids drooping despite his efforts to stay alert.
Evergreen's smile widened as she watched him drink. "There we go... That's much better." She brushed a strand of hair from his face, her touch oddly tender despite the madness lurking beneath her gaze. "Everything's going to be fine now, darling. You'll see."
She began to remove her dress.
