Jingle.

Elicia’s pupils trembled violently as the sound of the pocket watch falling echoed around the room.

“Why…?”

An old pocket watch—a gift to commemorate her child’s birthday. How could this man be holding the very collar that bound her?

I smiled, holding the watch up for her to see.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Elicia’s eyes quivered coldly, the air in the sanctuary chilling to a standstill. Her mind must have been racing, struggling to comprehend how I had her leash or whether I was a conspirator with the Apostle of Temperance.

Her eyes, which betrayed her turmoil, continued …