Page 40 of Maddening Fixation

His eyes widened in utter disbelief, as though he couldn’t comprehend that death had found him before he had the chance to speak.

A wet, choking sound escaped his throat.

Blood trickled down the bridge of his nose before pouring freely over his face.

His body rocked backward.

Then sideways.

He crashed onto the polished floor with a sickening thud, his chair splintering beneath him.

Dead before his body stopped moving.

Absolute silence.

The only sound was the slow drip...

...drip...

...drip...

of blood spreading across the marble.

Then chaos erupted.

“No!”

My father’s roar shook the dining hall.

Medved Flynn stumbled around the table so violently his chair toppled behind him.

“Sergei!”

He dropped to his knees beside the body, cradling his favorite son’s head as though he could somehow wake him.

His expensive suit was instantly soaked with blood.

His hands trembled.

“Sergei!”

His voice cracked.

“No... no, son... look at me!”

He grabbed desperately at the dagger’s handle before freezing, finally realizing the blade had pierced deep into bone.

There was nothing left to save.

My grandfather surged halfway to his feet, his weathered face drained of every trace of color.

“Doctor!”

His voice trembled with panic.

“Somebody call the doctor!”

He looked wildly toward the servants gathered near the doorway.