I caught a shivering boy stealing bread. As I grabbed his arm, he sobbed, “Please don’t call the police, my brothers are starving and mom hasn’t woken up in two days.” skeptical, I followed him to his rundown apartment. When I pushed the bedroom door open, my heart froze…

door broke my concentration. Lucia stood there, bathed and dressed in fresh clothes my staff had purchased. She looked smaller, but her eyes held a fierce, protective light.

“Ma’am?” she whispered. “The doctor says… the doctor says she’s waking up.”

I bolted from the desk and ran to the medical wing.

Isabella’s eyes were open, glassy and confused. When continue reading …