Chapter 4

The women bathed her in warm milk water and roses, and Lily sat uncomfortable in the warm water, hugging her knees as they soaked every strand of her hair and dribbled water down her back. And when she was clean, they dried her and dressed her in a slim red silk dress.

"We only use red," one of the girls explained as she brushed through Lily’s brown hair—usually tied up in a tight bun to stay out of the way during training, it now draped over her shoulders and down her back. "Otherwise everything just stains."

Lily’s heart stuttered. She would find no comfort from these girls, and the thought of losing her blood the same way the needle had taken to her veins was a chilling concept. She felt sick, and yet famished, having not eaten since the moment she left Nightcrest.

You just have to get through this part, she told herself. Then you’ll be a permanent resident here. You can find Mom.