Starved Beast

"I came in from one side and the soldiers from the other and between us was Esme with a headless chicken in her hands and bowl of feathers between her feet. There were turnips and swedes piled on the table, cut up and seasoned and ready for the pot.

"'What's going on?' Esme cried, glancing one way and another while jumping to her feet and clattering against a bowl of soft dough, stunned, bemused, because the soldiers were swarming through the kitchen door with Isabelle and Ann Marie lifted between them. The first soldier through the door glanced at Esme scornfully and the second one scowled.

"'So, ' the first one spat, looking in my direction but talking to Isabelle. 'Is this the one that did it?'

"She nodded.

"'And the others are his siblings?'

"There was a moment's silence followed by a strangled 'Oui, ' as Ann Marie was kicked.

"The lead soldier walked imperiously between Adalyn, Nicolette and Esme, staring down at each of them in turn. Esme was last.

"'As of a week ago, ' he said.