SIGRID

The scream lodged in my throat, my eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets as my trembling hands lifted the poor creature, barely clinging to life.

Its pale skin was covered in horrible black markings, like cursed patterns crawling across its tiny frame—even its face was tainted.

It didn’t cry.

I could feel its weak little heart faltering, barely beating.

Then, it opened its mismatched eyes—one of each color—staring up at the bitch who had been drowning it in the well.

"My lady, is something wrong?"

A voice behind me made my whole body seize up.

I wasn’t alone. Goddess, I had to play along, I had to become this vile woman—because if they found me out, I was dead.

"Nothing is wrong, Grimm. I’ll finish quickly, go prepare the carriage."

"It is already ready."

"Then go check it again, or are you deaf?!" I snapped, channeling every ounce of contempt I could muster, praying the tremor in this unfamiliar voice would go unnoticed.

When I heard his footsteps retreat, I turned away—sta