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He wanted to ask who else had passed, but he didn’t dare There was no one he really cared for, not anyo All those he loved had turned their backs on hi They allowed it

Shouts erupted in the dark tunnels Nichols turned quickly "Go see what that is" He gestured to four foot with their weapons drawn

Shouts and the sound of a gunshot carried to the large torture cha to stop hi If he only had this one chance to feel and sreedily It was a sense of freedo that could make him feel free in this dreadful place

"Get in there!" a man shouted Nichols’ footmen stumbled into the rooainst the wall, the lot of ya!" the large man said He pointed to Nichols "You stay where ya are His Grace would like to have a ith ya!"

"His Grace?" Nichols asked confused

"Aye"

"Uh oh, Nichols, sounds like you’re in trouble," Ephrai his face The soap rime on his skin turned to a paste, but rinsed off easily "If so a bucket this way I would truly appreciate it," he spoke as if there wasn’t an ar for hi here to finish the job He couldn’t have Ephrai his position Little did he know that the job was impossible

He heard a bucket scrape on the floor in front of hi his eyes Nichols should have done this years ago, because it stung like a bitch "Thank you," he muttered as his hands shot out and found the bucket That was one thing he never lost, his hu man He refused to allow Nichols to steal it froer the boy he once was, but he refused to turn into thethin hands ran a damp cloth across his face Ephraim jumped at the touch No one had touched him in too many years to count unless it was to hurt him He opened his eyes to see a man who looked veryin front of him The man looked sad and confused Finally he looked down on Ephraim with pity

Ephraim cowered back This orse than torture "Go away," he hed and dipped the cloth into the bucket again He looked relaxed in front of Ephrai his eyes on Ephraim, afraid of an attack He took one of Ephrai it, unconcerned for his expensive wardrobe

The new Duke’s men kept the footmen and Nichols at bay while he cleaned his brother "I used to do this for you every night until you were twelve Do you remember, Ephraim?"

"Yes," he answered automatically

Marc chuckled "Then there were the times when I had to clean you up in the kitchens after you snuck off and got dirty Father refused to have a speck of dirt in the house Do you reme his hands and looked into Ephrai to say, but didn’t He looked over his shoulder "I need some shears, a razor and towels in here and for Christ sake’s soet me some hot water!" One of his footmen nodded and ran out

Minutes later the man returned with the items Ephraim sat back and watched as his brother washed hiri back to a sickly pale color

"Are you hungry?" Marc asked

Ephraim didn’t answer Marc eyed his brother’s body He tried to hide his reaction, but there was little he could do Ephraim’s body was repulsive "When’s the last time you were fed?"

"I don’t feed him! I was told to kill him! That would be counterproductive if I fed him, don’t you think, Your Grace?" Nichols said callously