It was the final morning, the last day I would see the scoreboard in my room before they moved me to another suite. At least, that was what Asher told me.

There would be an announcement ceremony where everyone would come together and congratulate me on my position. While that was happening, all my belongings would be moved to a new room. One close to Patrick. Asher said after a few days I’d be allowed to go back to the Inner Circle to get any sentimental belongs, but for the most part everything will be provided for me.

Since it was my last day, I didn’t rush to get up. I lay there in my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Maybe if I stayed there they’d forget about me.

Just as I had the thought, a knock sounded on my door. Before I could tell them to go away, a white head of hair peeked in. Venna.

“Hello, dear.” She smiled at me as she pushed the door open with her hip. Carrying a tray through the doorway, she entered but didn’t place it on the table the way all the others had. Instead, she brought it to me in bed. I sat up onto the array of pillows and let her prop the tray on my lap.

“Thank you,” I said, looking down at the delicious food. There were fruits and cheeses as usual but also large fluffy cakes and sausage. After yesterday the very sight of it made me sick to my stomach.

The disgust I felt must have shown on my face because Venna sat beside me with a worried look. “Do you not like it? I could go get something else.”

She stood to leave but I stopped her with my hand. “No, this is fine. Just not in the food kind of mood.”

She gave me a small, understanding smile. “I understand. I’d be overwhelmed in your position as well. You’ve got the highest position there is! It’s all anyone could talk about.”

Great, I said to myself but then smiled at her. “Yes, exactly. Just nervous.”

“Well, don’t be.” She patted me on the arm and then moved over to the screen when it turned on while were talking. “You were a shoe-in to begin with, besides all the mishaps that occurred.” She made a displeased noise as she stared at the screen.

“What is it?” I asked from my place in bed. Though I wasn’t hungry I picked up a piece of sausage and bit into it. The juices filled my mouth and suddenly I became ravenous.

“See, you just needed to get started,” Venna said and then frowned. “I’m surprised that Zara girl wasn’t one of the two who was sent home.”

“She wasn’t?” I asked, almost choking on my food. I coughed and hit my chest to get the piece out.

“Sadly, no.” Venna shook her head. “She’s going to be Beaford’s companion.”

Beaford. The very sound of his name made my fist close around the bread in my hand, crumbling it to pieces. I should have known he would choose her.

To Venna, I said, “I’m sure they will be very happy together.” In a shallow grave, I added silently.

Venna gave a curt nod. “At least, your friend Violet got a good one. Maleria has always been one of my favorite of the fold. She’s very kind to the staff and has the most beautiful singing voice.”

I still hadn’t met Maleria but took Venna’s word for it. I suddenly wanted to ask her if she knew they were all vampires, but I refrained. If they all knew, then it would hardly be a secret. It would be leaked to the rest of Alban within hours.

So, instead of asking what I really wanted, I asked, “What about Marsha?”

“Oh,” she smiled slyly. “He’s as lucky as you and got his own member to convert for.”

I knew it. The nick on his neck had been Tris marking him. So much for my he-had-an-accident theory. Unfortunately, he didn’t know anything about marking, or what we were in for. I had to find time to get him alone so I could fill him in. Maybe if there were two of us we’d have more of a chance to get out of here. Though, the way he had acted last night didn’t give me high hopes. Marsha seemed to take everything at face value and would no doubt think their gifts and praises were their way of showing him kindness.

I wasn’t so fooled.

With a new-found determination, I moved the tray out of my lap and jumped from the bed. I found the outfit Asher had laid out for me to wear today. Thankfully, no dresses lay beneath. Instead, I found a dark charcoal pantsuit with a red shirt beneath. A pair of half-inch wedges sat below that I slipped into after I dressed. I let my hair roll freely down my back, the updo from last night causing it to fall in waves.

I’d washed all the makeup off my face before going to bed but Asher had left me specific instructions on how to apply what he had left for me. A bright red lipstick to match the shirt and a pale eyeshadow for my eyes. I tried to line my lids but failed so many times I about gave up before Venna came to the rescue.

“I used to do my sister’s makeup all the time back in the Inner Circle,” she commented as she applied the pen to my eyelids.

“What happened to her?” I asked, suddenly wanting to know more about her.

“Oh,” she sighed, “she’s still there. She sends me cards and pictures of her children. I go visit once every few years but it’s hard to get away, you know?” She smiled at me—a sad sort of smile—so I simply nodded.

“There, you’re ready.” Venna stepped back and let me look at myself.

Compared to all the other nights, this time I looked more like me. A fierce and determined me, but me nonetheless. At least I wouldn’t be going into this pretending to be someone I’m not.

“Thank you.” I hugged her briefly. She giggled, then squeezed me back.

When we were finished, Venna led me down a hallway and toward the room we’d had our interviews in. People were already piled in the doors, chatting away excitedly. I searched for Marsha but couldn’t find him. Violet stood next to the Fold member she’d be companion too. Maleria. Long hair that reached her backside, she wore a dress that seemed to float around her. Those around her seemed happy which gave me hope that Violet would be okay.

Now, if only I would be.

I started to move through the room, determined to find Marsha and explain to him what was going on but someone caught me by the elbow. Turning around, I froze in place at the sight of Patrick holding me. I swallowed hard and pushed down the fear that told me to run.

He smiled down at me but even I could see it was fake. Then without warning, he brought me into his arms. He smelled of flowers and sandalwood, a heady smell that made my nose tickle.

“Please, don’t scream,” he whispered in my ear. “I will explain everything after but for now we have to put on a show for them. Make them see we are the happy couple they all think we are. Remember, you have the power to make a difference.”

“I won’t be turned into a vampire,” I blurted out a bit louder than I meant, causing a few people to look our way. At least the cameras were too busy focusing on the others to notice us yet.

“And you won’t.” He clutched me tighter. “Not unless you want to, but it is very important that we keep up pretenses. Understood?”

I nodded against his chest and then, almost as suddenly, he let me go. Before any other words could be said he directed us to a small podium. He stood behind it with me at his side, my hand held in his.

“Thank you for all coming to this momentous occasion,” he said into the microphone causing a round of applause and cheers to sound. “This has been our most fruitful Election yet and I think I speak for everyone when I say that it will be one I remember for years to come.” His eyes moved to me in that moment. To others, it might have been a look of love and adoration but I knew it for what it was.

A warning. Don’t screw this up or they’ll kill us both.

I beamed back at him, which seemed to satisfy the crowd as they cooed. Patrick turned from me and went on to speak about tradition and the example we must set for the people. The words pouring out of his mouth spoke of things I had little doubt the Crimson Fold knew anything about. Or ever would.

They might think they were all powerful but I knew better. Even their own leader wanted to put them down a peg. The problem was, how far was he willing to go? How much of this would be of my own free will and how much of it be me being moved like a chess-piece in his long-standing game?

I stood there with my hand clutched in his, a fake smile on my face, with one thought in my mind.

When the time came, would he ever let me go?