Page 59 of The Black Key

Suddenly, a bell begins to ring in the kitchen, a tiny golden bell that I’ve never seen ring before. All the servants stare at it, dumbstruck. Then Cora appears in the doorway.

“The Duchess wishes to see everyone in the ballroom. Immediately.”

Her gaze lingers on me for a moment. Then she turns and we all traipse after her, Mary and Elizabeth whispering together, Maude’s face wary, William looking more ruffled than I’ve ever seen him.

We file into the ballroom, where the Duchess stands waiting for us, resplendent in black satin with long gloves that come up over her elbows.

“As you may have heard,” she says without preamble, “there has been another vicious attack on our House. This time, from the Society that calls itself the Black Key. They have killed our beloved daughter-in-law, Coral, and severely injured our niece. This will not stand. The Regimentals are doing everything in their power to stop these rebels. But we will not let them dampen our spirits. We will stay strong and unified in the face of our aggressors. I have sent an emergency petition to speak with the Exetor. I am hopeful he will be able to make time to see me tomorrow. I want everything spotless. I want smiles on faces and pep in your steps. I want to see you proud to serve this House that helped found our great city. Do I make myself clear?”

Everyone nods in unison.

“You.” The Duchess points a finger directly at me. “Come with me. The rest of you are dismissed.”

Twenty

I’M SURPRISINGLY CALM AS I FOLLOW THE DUCHESS OUT of the ballroom.

Maybe there’s simply nothing left in me to feel. After the day’s events, I wonder if I’ll ever be able to muster up any strong emotion again. I should be terrified right now. I should be worried the Duchess could discover me, could recognize my voice. Could kill me.

But as she opens the door to a small study, a grim determination sets in. Hazel is still in danger. So are Ash and Ochre. Raven, Sil, Sienna, Indi, Olive, all the girls in the holding facilities are counting on me, on this plan, on the fact that this year, at this Auction, they will not be sold as slaves. They will declare themselves free citizens of the Lone City. I hate that Coral died but she is not the first person who’s died because of this cause. And she certainly won’t be the last.

The Duchess sits in a leather armchair and studies me over steepled fingers. “You have done an adequate job as Coral’s lady-in-waiting,” she says.

I curtsy.

“And I like that you don’t prattle on like so many other maids in this house. You will stay here, as Carnelian’s lady-in-waiting. She should like that, she’s been asking for one for long enough.” She smirks. “And that way you can’t run off and sell your story to the papers or another House. I’ll have your tongue ripped out if you try.”

I hadn’t considered that I’d be dismissed from service. Coral hasn’t even been dead two hours.

“Yes, my lady,” I say huskily. “Thank you, my lady.”

The Duchess sighs and rubs her temple. She glances at the clock on the mantel and I realize I’ve been in this room before. The first time I ever wandered around the palace alone. The day I met Ash. There was a picture of the Duchess on a rolltop desk, a small, lifelike painting. In a moment of rebellion, I used the first Augury, Color, to change her skin from smooth caramel to garish green.

She nearly broke my hand because of that.

“You’re dismissed,” the Duchess says sharply. I curtsy again and rush out the door, heading in the direction of the servants quarters.

Cora is waiting for me outside the dining room. The halls are empty.

“Did she make you Carnelian’s lady-in-waiting?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“Good. She was going to dismiss you. I tried very hard to convince her otherwise. Without tipping my hand, of course.” Cora fingers the keys on her belt. “I hope you have a plan for Auction Day.” I don’t miss the note of warning in her voice.

“I do,” I say. It’s not entirely a lie.

“The doctor is still seeing to Carnelian at the moment. You will attend to her in her room this evening.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She looks me up and down. “You could use a bath and a change of clothes.”

I look down at my ruined dress. “Yes.”

“You may use my private powder room if you wish. Oh and, Violet . . .” She leans in close to me so I can see the wrinkles around her eyes. “If you do not keep up your end of our agreement, then I promise you—your sister will be in very real danger. And not from the Electress.”

A chill runs down my spine.