C374 THE OLD WOMAN'S WARNING

"Pick up the lye and keep your head down if you want to keep it on your shoulders," a raspy voice snapped.

Aria jumped, her hands plunging back into the tub of steaming water. The heat bloomed across her skin, turning her fingers a bright poppy red. Beside her, a woman who looked as though she were carved from ancient, weathered oak scrubbed a heavy sheet with rhythmic, brutal force