Chapter 3

Alexandria

Each step was a piece of every nightmare I’d ever had.

Though my exterior remained calm, the perfect Montague, my insides twisted and pushed upward…filling my throat with the acrid taste of dread. I swallowed continuously as I put one foot in front of the other. I inhaled as a sense of drowning overwhelmed me. Looking around, I knew that no one within the manor would throw me a life raft. I was alone in a sea of people.

Eyes peered my way briefly before looking respectfully down. The walls of the grand entryway were lined with Montague staff, obedient soldiers at their posts, reinforcing Alton’s unquestioned command. People I recognized—both from my past as well as my last visit—and many more that I didn’t stood at their positions, creating a path toward Alton’s office.

“Hello, Miss Alexandria.”

“Welcome home, Miss Alexandria.”