Amaris’s breaths came out rapid and shallow as she scanned the dining room for any help, any plan. She saw only the wooden tables and chairs, the floor-to-ceiling windows, a cup of tea that had been presumably left out for her, and the dark, smiling face of a woman clad in finery.

Today Millicent was in a deep amethyst dress with black gems, her golden hair pinned half up in elaborate curls. Her elbow-length gloves stayed on while she used a fork to pick at her breakfast with birdlike delicacy. Her lips had been painted a shade of night to match her dark jewels. Although Amaris had never seen one, something in her gut distinctly shouted to her that this woman looked like a witch.

Amaris asked numbly, “How did you get here so fast? It’s supposed to be at least two weeks’ travel to Priory.”

Millicent eyed Amaris’s position from across the room. Her feline smile grew even more wicked. She said, presumably to herself, “Oh, it is fun when they have spirit.”

Amaris looked over her shoulder as if the Madame had been addressing someone else, but they were alone. She took a single step closer to the table.

“What is your plan for me?”

The Madame let a frown flicker across her features. Millicent chose her words carefully, gesturing again for Amaris to sit, though Amaris was sure they both knew it was fruitless. She didn’t have time to play Millicent’s coy game of pleasantries. She needed to leave. Amaris wondered how much time had passed. How much longer would Agnes be upstairs? Was Nox already waiting outside? Would Millicent chase her if she turned on her heel and attempted to flee?

“You are a rare beauty,” Millicent said finally.

“And if I weren’t beautiful?”

Millicent clucked her tongue. “What’s the point of such a useless question? The truth remains: you are. Short of being mauled by a beast, you’re still the most marvelous diamond I’ve seen in my ages. You’d be amazed what men will pay to possess something unique, even if only for a moment. Everyone wants a piece of something special. Now, to be the first to have you…well, that will be worth your weight in crowns, my dear.”

The Madame rose and began making her way slowly around the table. Amaris matched her steps, backing away in the opposite direction to keep the space between them equidistant. A voice within screamed at her to run.

“Your friends are already in Priory waiting for you. They’re very excited to see you,” Millicent lied.

Amaris knew the woman was referring to Cici and Emily, but she hadn’t been friends with either of them. She wasn’t friends with anyone. No one would be happy to see her at the pleasure house, aside from the hungry faces of patrons and the greedy coin purse of its Madame.