> “Look what you’ve done to me!” Alice screamed through her pain. “And Ela—you have killed my Ela! She was the only one who ever truly loved me.”
“No,” Gavin answered, looking at Alice’s mutilated face with great pity. “It was not I nor Judith who has harmed you, but only yourself.” He turned to Alan as he picked Judith up in his arms. “See to her. Don’t let her die. Perhaps that scar will be a fitting reward for her lies.”
Alan looked with distaste at the cringing woman, then walked toward her.
Gavin took Judith down the stairs to the room below. It was some moments before she was able to relax. “It’s over now, my love,” Gavin whispered. “You are safe now. She will harm you no more.” He held her very tightly.