Corsica’s black heels clicked and clanked on the floor as she charismatically preached the importance of the facility’s research. Coincidentally, she never once mentionedwhatthat research was orhowthe research was conducted. She did, however, refer to us all as participants in “the project.”
It meant that whatever research they were doing here included us somehow, and that fact made me extremely apprehensive.
We reached our “wing,” as Corsica had called it, which was just a large oval room that seemed like the sterile version of what was supposed to be a gathering space. It looked like a waiting room, with generic decor and too-firm seating. There was another rectangular box hanging high on the wall, but this one was much larger, and it was flashing various moving images. Attached to the main area were five smaller hallways that branched off in different directions.
“Each of you has been assigned a room and corresponding roommate for the duration of your stay here,” Corsica said with all her teeth showing. I knew she was trying to come across as someone familiar and friendly, but I could see the predator she truly was.
“And exactly how long is our stay?” One of the culled spoke up. Everyone looked at her and then back at Corsica expectantly. We were all wondering the same thing.
“That depends entirely on your performance in the program. Know that if you succeed in the program, both you and your family will be richly compensated.Not to mention the glory and admiration you will receive from the royal family itself!” There were a few subtle gasps, but the rest of us remained suspicious. It was far too vague and promising to be true.
“How does one ‘succeed’ in the program?” A boy no older than eighteen asked.
“That, my dear boy, is an excellent question. One that my father, the head chairperson of the GRC in charge of running the program, is more qualified to answer. I will send the sentries to collect you from your rooms in half an hour. Please use that time judiciously to dress and acclimate yourselves. See you all soon!” She waved, fluttering her fingers down into her palm, and strolled away.
I followed one of the Veiler’s directions to go to my room. Said directions included a guttural “C-7” and a finger pointing to the hallway labeled C. I muttered a sarcastic “thank you” and tottered down the hallway, disoriented.
Rowan had left, just as he warned. Yet it still stung.
I found my room. It was nothing grand, just two twin beds, several feet apart. The bedspread was much like everything else in the complex—brilliant white. One bed had sheets slightly ruffled and pulled back.
There was one abstract piece of art hanging on the wall, featuring some shades of red and orange. But that was it as far as the diversity of the facility’s color palette was concerned.
Across the beds were two sets of dresser drawers and a large circular mirror between them. Attached to the room was a small bathroom with a toilet and a lone showerhead. There was no bathroom door or curtain.
How wonderful.
I looked through the dresser that was directly across from the unused twin bed, assuming it was meant for me. There were three drawers: the first had several pairs of underwear, and two corsets. The second had four dresses with shades of white, red, blue, and green. The third drawer had two pairs of black flats.
I didn’t wear dresses. Ever. They reminded me too much of my father.
The thought of wearing a dress for the first time in years inthisplace—forthesepeople—made my skin itch. I wasn’t an object that they got to dress up and parade about.
Despite my anger, I needed to play along enough to bide my time. I was finally here, the place with answers about Willam. Through clenched teeth, I selectedthe blue dress and black flats. I placed them on top of the dresser and made my way to the shower.
I needed to scrub my skin off. It smelled that strongly.
We had plumbing in Oak Hollow, but nothing this fancy. The water was always lukewarm, and the toilets had cranks instead of petite metal levers. Given the climate, I thought the water would be cold as ice, but it was surprisingly warm. There was a selection of ornate floral soaps on the counter that made me frown.
They were trying to make us comfortable, and nothing good came from letting down one’s guard.
It made me even more cautious.
Chapter 24
“A kingdom without faith has no moral direction.
If we put our faith in scripture, we are saved.”
- Article 4, Section 7, of the Veiled Compendium
Aknock at the chamber door startled me.
“Ms. Ashbone?” a voice called, muffled by the door. “I’m Karina, your designated sentry. I’ll be escorting you to the dining hall.”
I opened it to find a tall woman in all black. No mask, but she didn’t need one. Her posture, her clipped politeness—it all screamed Veiler. Or “sentry,” as they called themselves here. It was almost funny, the effort they went to in renaming things, as if language could change what they really were.
Karina corralled a group of us into the hall. We moved like sheep, tired and quiet, until the doors to the dining hall swung open—and I halted mid-step.
