"Clara, don't!" I lunged forward, but I was too late.
With a cruel smile, Clara released Mittens out the window. The kitten's terrified mewl pierced the air as she plummeted toward the ground. My scream caught in my throat as I watched in horror.
"Oops," Clara said, brushing her hands together. "I guess Father won't let me speak to the Duke because of you. It's only fair you lose something too."
I shoved past her to the window, leaning out desperately. My eyes darted frantically across the grounds below until I spotted a small gray form among the roots of the old oak tree. Mittens wasn't moving.
"You monster," I whispered, my voice trembling with rage as I turned to Clara.
She shrugged, her blue eyes cold as ice. "It's just a mangy cat. Besides, now you know how it feels when someone takes away what you want."
"The Duke was never yours to lose," I said, my hands shaking. "And Mittens did nothing to deserve this."
