face, shocking her skin but doing li

. The woman in the mirror looked like a ghost. Pale skin, wi

together

stick to hide the evidence of Fulton's teeth. She couldn't stay in here

knew what waited for her on the other side of the door. The walk back through the hushed, wood-paneled corridor would feel like a mile, every step taking her from the p

the laughter too shrill, the scent of expensive perfume and roasted meat too cloying

he next hour. Then she could

d parted lik

d by a ripple of whispers. Eveline

f the grand staircase. Ja

iamond on her finger that caught the light and threw it back with blinding arrogance. But up close, Eveline saw the faintest tremor in her manicured hand, th

e looked like a king surveying his subjects. His eyes scanne

o recognition. It was as if the scene in t

wo years, she thought. Two years of my life

who

niya steered Fulton directly toward her. The cr

feet away. "You look... tired. Is th

ine forced a smile. It felt

r," Eveline said, her voice steady despite the

ving trouble with her... finances. Again." Janiya tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with malice.

aze flicked

h cold detachment. He didn't step in. He didn't defend her. He

turned, stron

y with a silver t

ical blow. The brine, the metalli

mach co

have time to c

h the polite conversation. Bile splashed onto the polished

hat followed

shrieked, jumping

nk?" someon

omething," anothe

humiliation burned hotter than the acid in her throat. She

s mask

de, as if he were about to reach out. But he stoppe

s head sligh

the shadows, a man in a black suit who lo

on said. His voice was ice.

king away. "I'm fine. I ju

s eyes boring into hers. There was

His fingers were like steel cla

e whispered, looking

placing a hand on the small of her bac

s heart

e exit. The whispers follow

e preg

ated in the air,

the double doors and into the cool night ai

e said, openin

" Eveline pleaded, gripping the door

nreadable. "Mr. Horn gave an order. W

lammed the door. The lock

s around her stomach. The secret she hadn't even dar