Emma instinctively tried to wrench free, but Cedric's grip clamped down on her arm like iron. Her scream tore through the hall.
Aldric's voice thundered from the top of the stairs. "Cedric!" His tone was sharp, like a father scolding a child. "Let her go!"
"No!" Cedric's eyes were wild as he dragged Emma closer, his words spilling like madness. "Zara is poisoned—she confessed it! I bet it's that woman. It has to be her. That's why Zara isn't healing. I knew it, I knew something was wrong! I was right! Zara is a strong woman. It's the poison."
He yanked Emma up the stairs, gritting his teeth like a man possessed.
Aldric moved with sudden fury, seizing Cedric by the collar. "Enough! Let. Her. Go."
But Cedric was beyond hearing, lost in his frenzy. In the struggle, Emma was torn from his grasp. She fell down, and her body rolled down the stairs. Her scream echoed as she rolled down.
