“Lady D’Andros Audrina, please join us.” Akeylah watched every head in the room swivel as Audrina strode through the double doors at the far end of the Great Hall. The whispers grew louder, especially among the ladies. Akeylah guessed at least some of them must recognize the girl who, until recently, served them. The same way Ren once had.

Audrina looked nothing like a servant now.

She moved with a sedate, calm grace Akeylah envied. Head high, shoulders back, dressed in her skin-hugging golden gown, she looked every inch a queen. She peered down her nose at every row of people she passed, and the faintest hint of a sneer touched her lips when she locked eyes with some of those noblewomen in particular.

Finally, she reached the stage and ascended to take her place beside Akeylah.

Akeylah cleared her throat. “I have brought my other sisters Lady Florencia and Lady Zofi here as well, in order to properly confirm our fourth sister’s heritage. Captain Lindle, please bring them to the stage.”

Unlike Audrina’s graceful processional, Zofi and Ren shuffled up the steps, manacled at the wrists and feet. Their clothing was rumpled and stained from their night in the dungeon, and they both had deep bags below their bloodshot eyes.

Audrina’s tiny smirk widened when Ren tripped on the topmost stair. Zofi caught her just before she fell. Akeylah clenched her fists at her side to stop herself from reaching out, too.

She needed to play her part. Had to remain Audrina’s faithful puppet until the last possible instant.

Audrina followed her gaze and leaned close to Akeylah. “Remember our bargain,” she murmured. At the same time, she tilted her wrist to show Akeylah the slim blade fitted along the underside of her sleeve. A bloodletter sewn into the very fabric, poised so she could dig it into her forearm at any moment. “One wrong move and none of you leave this hall alive.”

Akeylah plastered on a broad smile for the onlookers. “Of course, Your Highness.”

Then the acolytes took over. “Lady D’Andros Zofi,” the lead acolyte said. “Step forward and make your proof.”

The words stirred Akeylah’s memory. Reminded her of the first time they’d all done this, when Father was still alive. When he set all this chaos into motion.

Part of her wished she could go back to that time. Back before she knew the dark secrets her family was keeping, even—or perhaps especially—Father. If she could, Akeylah would tell her past self to flee while she still had the chance.

Zofi shuffled forward, chains clanking. An acolyte passed her a bloodletter, and Zofi added a prick of her blood to the bowl. At the same time, Akeylah noticed her sister’s brow crease, her eyes go sharp with concentration. After a few seconds, she shuffled backward, fell into line once more, with only the barest hint of a glance at Akeylah.