Page 28 of The Black Key

It’s like all the royal Houses have vanished from my brain. I can’t think of a single one, but somehow, “The House of the Flame, ma’am,” comes out. Cora nods as if that makes sense to her. I make a mental note to tell Garnet later, in case she asks him.

“He should have told me you were coming. This is a terrible time to be training new help, what with all the commotion in the lower circles, and the new Auction date, and the engagement, and Garnet’s promotion . . .” Cora trails off and picks up a glass of water from the table beside her and takes a sip.

“Your primary function over the next few weeks will be preparing Coral for the Auction and making sure she stays out of the Duchess’s way. It will be her first time attending and she is quite eager about it. Her ladyship does not have the time to waste on frivolous questions, so you must keep Coral occupied. As a lady-in-waiting, you should be able to manage this without issue.”

She says this with such a conspiratorial smile, I respond in kind.

“Where were you trained?” she asks.

“I—beg your pardon?” I thought I’d already answered that.

“Who trained you?” Cora says, exaggerating the words.

“Lucien,” I say, without thinking.

She raises an eyebrow. “Really. I didn’t think he was instructing anymore.”

“I was his last student,” I say, hoping against all hope that that makes sense.

Cora takes another sip of water and puts the glass down. “Garnet is more competent than he seems, it would appear.”

“He’s certainly grown up a bit.” As soon as the words are out, I clamp my mouth shut. What a foolish thing to say. Imogen the lady-in-waiting should not be talking about Garnet so casually.

Cora stares at me for a long moment before answering. “Yes,” she says. “He has.”

“I—I only meant he had quite the reputation, ma’am,” I say.

“I know what you meant. What circle are you from?”

“The Farm, ma’am.”

She taps her finger against the arm of the chair. “Very well. That will be all for tonight. You are dismissed.”

I’m barely able to contain my relief as I hurry to the door.

“Oh, Violet?” Cora’s voice stops me and I turn.

“Yes, ma’am?” It’s only when I see a cruel smile twisting on her lips that I realize what I’ve done. My hand claps over my mouth as if that will help, as if I can change my own body’s reactions.

“I knew it was you,” she says, standing in one fluid movement, “when you talked about Garnet. Your voice changed. Like you knew him. Because you did, didn’t you?”

I can’t move. Where would I go? Cora runs this house. She knows every inch of it. There is nowhere to hide and massive walls surround me on every side. Sure, I could call on Earth or Air, but that would give everything away and I’d still be stranded in the Jewel. I won’t do that to all the Society members who are counting on the Paladin, who are waiting for Auction Day, for their chance at freedom.

I think of Hazel. I didn’t even get to see my sister one last time. This whole plan has collapsed before it had a chance to begin.

Cora saunters over to me with all the confidence of someone who knows she has her prey trapped. When she is close enough, she grabs my face in her hand, much like the Duchess did the night she killed Annabelle.

“How did you do it?” she asks, turning my cheek to the side. “Your eyes, your hair, your face . . . was it the Auguries?”

I nod.

“It’s very well done,” she murmurs. “How did you get back here? Or have you been hiding in the Jewel this whole time?” My eyes widen and she laughs. “You think I don’t know the Duchess is keeping your sister locked up in your place?”

“Please.” The word is garbled through her grip.

“Please what? You came back here to save her, I assume.”

I don’t respond. Her fingers dig into my skin.