Chapter Twenty #3
Too soon, I am warmed up, limber. Anyway, who cares if I pull a muscle, so long as I make it out of here alive, without Elisavet snatching me up to be one of her playthings, so long as Orrin gets Aven out of here safely.
In mere hours I could be reuniting with her at his mansion.
I close my eyes tight and hold onto that hope.
The servants escort me back to the main room, which has transformed into a stage in my brief time away.
Every person—being, creature—has shifted to the outside of the room.
They disappear almost, into the shadows.
The middle is empty, waiting for me to put on my most important performance yet.
If I dance poorly, will I anger Elisavet?
Embarrass her for inviting me? But what if I dance too beautifully and it makes her want to keep me for further entertainment?
Would Orrin intervene? I scan the crowd for him, but the faceless mass of demons doesn’t reveal him.
My skin beads with nervous sweat, even in the chill of the cave.
“Now, my loves,” Elisavet calls to the room so that it stills, even quieting the rampant questions in my head.
“I’ve invited a very special guest here today.
She comes to us with Orrin, who you all know I adore.
We’re quite lucky, indeed, because she’s agreed to grace us with a performance, which will be a special treat.
It’s especially appreciated on a night like tonight. ”
Before I can wonder too long about her meaning, a round of applause—either on my behalf or hers, I cannot tell—and I step out onto the damp stone floor, praying I don’t slip during my dance.
Red shoes, take care of me, I beg silently. “Music?” I look to Elisavet. I could do without, but I’d rather not. I feel as though everyone in the room—demon or human—can hear my beating heart over the silence.
“Play!” She claps her hands once, and the lyre and harp start up again, in a rhythmic strumming beat I can’t say I recognize, yet I can certainly dance to.
I count down and then step into a sous-sous, then a series of cha?nés, and a triple pirouette.
I hold an arabesque with my arms in a graceful attitude.
Each movement seems to captivate the audience.
They look intently at me, pairs of black, hungry eyes, watching each move I make, following me across the floor.
It brings me a surprising amount of comfort to know among them, somewhere, is Orrin, steadying me with his dark gaze.
But he will be slipping out at any second, grabbing my sister—I hope.
Taking her to Mr. Brown, who waits with the carriage, with the horses, who will take her to safety, to Colehart Mansion. I relish the thought and push on.
Never once do I falter, yet I’m aware my movements are slightly tighter, less free, my limbs taut.
The fear reins me in, even with the magic of the slippers.
I end in a final flurry of leaps across the wet floor.
When I drop into a curtsey, the applause breaks through the instruments still playing, and Elisavet is at my side once again.
My ragged breath catches when I meet Orrin’s eyes across the crowd, see the look on his face.
He didn’t find my sister. Our plan failed. I can read him like my favorite book.
She pulls me up, twisting me to face her. “Beautiful.” She smiles with glee, kissing me on each cheek, then pauses to graze my ear with her teeth. “I meant what I said. I’d love to have you…”
I can hardly breathe.
Elisavet pulls away and says, “Come back soon, understand?”
Luckily I’m spared a response as she’s tugged away by a demon couple, making a fuss to speak to her.
They practically fall over themselves, bowing, slurring from the effects of too much wine.
Somehow, this is one of the things that shocks me most. I knew demons ate, that they slept, even that they could bleed.
But I thought other human vulnerabilities would have disappeared.
Will they feel the effects tomorrow in the way of headaches and upset stomachs, I stupidly wonder.
The vague thought is pushed aside by the intense pain of knowing we didn’t get Aven out tonight.
By the aching unknown. Why not? Where is she?
Something is wrong.
More demons move between me and Elisavet, and I let them do so, gladly. I creep back into the edges of the cave, toward Orrin. I slink his way casually, pretending to sip a new goblet of wine, not meeting anyone’s hungry eyes.
Laughter breaks through my pinpoint focus, Elisavet’s, loud and bright. It shatters in my ears. I search the cave miserably. Where is my sister?
Orrin makes his way to me as well, slowing to speak with other demons, to sometimes laugh or clap them on the back, almost affectionately. He’s captivating, the way he lights up the dark cave. But I can see it in his eyes: he’s troubled.
Then he is at my side. “We need to go,” he murmurs, hiding his lips behind his goblet.
I stare at him. Something in me hurts. Warning. Premonition.
He’s about to speak when Elisavet claps her hands and breaks the chatter in the cave once again.
“My loves,” she begins. “I hope you enjoyed that beautiful performance. Tonight is particularly special because we announce our newest members. I know you will show them the same affection that was bestowed upon you when you were changed. Now, please welcome them into our family.”
From the back room of the cave comes first a man, with a naked chest and loose light pants, and then four women wearing long, silk robes in pale shades, the first old enough her graying hair hangs silver in the light, her skin papery and faded.
My breath catches amidst the mild applause and encouraging cheers from the demons in the room.
Because the last woman in line is my sister.
Even with her head slightly bowed, I recognize her. I know her walk, her profile, her dark hair. I know her. It’s Aven. Or, it is what is left of Aven. When she looks up, I step back. The ink-black eyes. The nothingness behind them.
The pain engulfs me, threatening to crack me in half and spill me out on the ground.
“No…” I hold back a cry, a scream.
Beside me, Orrin tenses. We’re too late.
My sister has traded her soul.