“Perfect,” she murmured.
“Thanks, Taisiya.” I smiled at her. “Mind if I take a quick look in the mirror before we go?”
“Not at all.” She gestured toward the full-length mirror near the window. “We still have a few minutes before we need to leave.”
I stepped over to the mirror and studied my reflection.
The white gown made me look ethereal, almost otherworldly. The silk caught the light as I moved, the embroidered vines seeming to climb from the hem toward my heart. The laurel crown sat perfectly on my styled hair, making me look like something out of an ancient myth. I barely even recognized myself.
Taisiya cleared her throat behind me. “Miss Calloway,” she said, stepping a little closer. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to say to you.”
My eyes met hers in the mirror. “Yes?”
“I wanted to apologize for allowing Roman Valcourt to put sedatives in your drink a few months ago. You must think I’m a complete—”
“Taisiya, you really don’t need to be sorry for that,” I cut in, vehemently shaking my head. “You were just doing your job, and I know it’s basically impossible to say no to these men. And honestly, it’s fine. I understand why Roman did it, and I don’t hold a grudge against him. Or you, for that matter. Not at all.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders sagged slightly with relief. “That’s good to hear.”
“Don’t worry.” I gave her a small, encouraging smile. “I’m never going to mention it to the Council, so you’ll never get in trouble for it. I promise.”
“Thank you,” she said, returning my smile. Her head tilted slightly to one side. “And speaking of keeping things from the Council… I’ve kept your secret too.”
My forehead creased with confusion. “My secret—oh.” My eyes widened. “About me sneaking in here on the night of the initiation ritual, you mean?”
She nodded. “I’ll admit, I was upset when you told me the truth, because my job could’ve been on the line if anyone found out you were here that night and that I helped you leave. But there was something in your eyes when you told me…” She paused, slowly shaking her head. “Something sad and desperate. So I kept it to myself. Then, much later, I heard about everything that happened with your sister at BHU last year, and I realized why you sneaked in that night. You thought the Club had something to do with her death.”
“I did,” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “I was looking for clues here.”
“I understand. And I promise I’ll never tell anyone. Just like you’ve done for me.”
“Thank you, Taisiya.” A small lump had formed in my throat. “I really appreciate it.”
She nodded. “Most of the people in this Club don’t appreciate workers like me at all. Especially the senior Council members,” she said softly. “We’re paid to do their dirty work and keep all their darkest secrets, and they don’t even learn our names.”
“I’m really sorry. I—”
She cut me off this time. “You don’t need to apologize,” she said, giving me another faint smile. “I’m telling you this because youdidlearn my name, and you’ve never forgotten it. You’ve always treated me like a person, too. Not like a living appliance.So I can’t think of anyone who deserves to have their secrets kept more than you. The Council can just go and…”
She trailed off, hesitating, and I arched a brow. “Go and screw themselves?”
Taisiya laughed. “You said it, Miss Calloway. Not me.”
“Please, call me Violet.”
“All right.” Taisiya's smile softened. She glanced at the ornate clock on the mantle. ”Well, Violet… it's time. Are you ready?”
I took one last look at myself in the mirror. Then I nodded. “As ready as I'll ever be.”
She opened the door and gestured for me to follow. I gathered the flowing white silk of my gown in my hands and stepped into the corridor.
Taisiya led me through familiar corridors, then down passages I'd never taken before. We descended deeper into the estate, the stone walls growing older and more weathered, until we finally emerged into a large antechamber.
All of the other Selection girls were there, each dressed in flowing white gowns identical to mine, and each crowned with a golden laurel wreath. The room buzzed with nervous energy. Some girls held hands with the person next to them, while others stood alone, faces pale.
Madeline caught my eye from across the room and gave me a shaky smile. I smiled back, trying to project a confidence I didn't feel.
At the far end of the antechamber stood an ancient wooden door, ornately carved with symbols I’d never seen before. Mrs. Astor stood beside it, hands clasped.
