By the time Briony finally made it back to the studio, dawn was already breaking. Utterly exhausted, she changed into pajamas and collapsed into bed, falling

asleep almost instantly.

She had no idea how long she'd been out when a frantic knocking at the door jolted her awake.

Her eyes flew open and she stared at the familiar ceiling, breath coming quick and shallow. It took her a moment to gather her wits.

She'd been dreaming.

In the dream, she was standing above a river of blood, so vivid it made her shudder. Somewhere in the distance, an infant's cries echoed in her ears...

From outside the room, Hannah's voice rang out. "Briony? Are you awake?"

Her lashes fluttered. Briony pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

The room spun as she stood, her body heavy and unsteady.

"Briony? Briony..." Hannah's voice grew more anxious.

"I'm coming," Briony croaked, forcing herself upright and shuffling to the door.

as the door swung open, Hannah let out a sigh of

scared me half to death. It's ten

thought something had

if not a creature of habit; she

though, she

she rasped, her voice

a once-over. "You don't look

hand to her forehead. It did feel a little

lately," she said. "A few days of rest

a hand on Briony's forehead. "You've

take something for the

you don't want

just need

able to stand, Briony retreated to her bed

nasty flu going around. You really should get

"We're shutting the studio down for the year. Have finance pay everyone's salary in advance— cover twelve

in shock. "That's a huge

done well this year, but with those numbers, the total payout would be

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