She smiled. “I was the first one here. You know they frown on that sort of thing. Feeling special because you’re first, even when being first doesn’t matter. They don’t like it when anyone feels special or different. They reward patience here, so I was patient. And I got the last sister. I don’t know why it took so long for your One to bring you, but now that you’ve come, we can finally mark the end of the season. Isn’t it wonderful?” Wrapping an arm around my shoulders, she gave me a squeeze.

The girl’s words made little sense to me, but I smiled and said, “It’s the best.”

“Please forgive me for asking this, but what’s your name?” the girl asked. “You were pretty out of it last night. I didn’t want to bother you.”

A warning crept to the front of my mind, urging me to give a fake name. I only missed a beat before blurting out my mother’s.

“Penny,” I said, smiling again.

“It’s nice to know you, sister. I’m Calla.” She sprang from the bed, danced across the wooden floor, then swayed to music only she could hear. “Now that you’re here, they’ll have the ball soon. Who are you for?”

I needed a balance in asking questions and appearing fully aware of my situation, which was difficult since I didn’t exactly know what my situation was.

“Sorry?” I asked.

“I’m for Haden,” Calla said. “And he’s absolutely perfect.”

No doubt, I thought.

“What’s your One’s name?” she asked.

Again, I felt I should give a fake name, especially after what I’d learned about what had happened to James and Tobias. Using Victor’s name seemed a betrayal. Only one other name came to mind. “Cole,” I said. Ever’s words rang in my ears. “I’m for Cole.”

“He sounds nice,” Calla said.

I didn’t know how she managed to put that together, with only his name. But the more time I spent with her, the more I realized she would think any boy’s name was nice. Any boy would be nice because her boy was perfect. Perfect for her, no matter what he was really like.

Calla motioned to a chest at the foot of my bed. “They put your things in there.”

I leapt off the bed, eager to retrieve my pistol, but was quickly disappointed. The cedar chest was filled to the brim with sheer dresses, all various shades of green. Calla wore a similar one, hers a pale yellow. Huffing, I closed the lid and sat on top of the chest.

“Aren’t you going to get dressed?” Calla asked. “They’ll be up for us soon.”

“Why?”

Calla laughed. It was a soft and soothing sound. “For breakfast. Aren’t you hungry?”