Vivienne walked stiffly beside Madame Lefevre, their skirts swishing in rhythm, though everything about it felt wrong. Madame Lefevre's steps were sharp and quick, her heels clicking against the polished floor like hammers striking nails. Vivienne's own pace was slower, reluctant, her mind already boiling with curses.
The moment they were far enough from André, Madame Lefevre's mouth opened, and the lashings began.
Her voice cut like knives. "What is that mark on your neck?"
Vivienne blinked, instantly putting on her sweetest dumb-maid face. "A bug, Madame. Bit me this morning."
Inside her head, though, she was screaming. Yes, a bug. A very large human-shaped bug with fangs and lips. He practically tried to eat me alive like I was breakfast. But sure, a bug, you miserable hag. Go choke on your own perfume.
