Page 94 of Five

“Are we having dinner?” I ask Frank, looking round at the empty room, save for the people.

“Nah.” Frank laughs. “We’re just here to seal the deal, Princess.”

And something about the way he says the word ‘princess’ makes my stomach turn.

“But we have snacks. Don’t worry. Would you like me to get you some champagne for our group toast?” he asks.

“Sure,” I say, still off guard about that princess remark. What if they have Five? What if that was Frank’s way of showing his hand? Of letting me know that all our plans are for nothing? And that by the end of the night, I’ll be married to him, no matter how much I protest?

“Rory?” Frank asks.

“Huh?” I look up from my thoughts. Frank is holding a glass of champagne and a waiter is patiently standing next to him, offering me his tray. There’s only one crystal flute of champagne on it.

“We’re going to toast,” he says, nodding his head at the front of the hall, where Kallie, Edward, Mia, Jeremy, and the mysterious blonde woman are all tapping their glasses with small silver spoons to get our attention.

“Right,” I say, taking my glass and holding it close.

Did I make a mistake coming here?

“Please raise your glasses,” the blonde woman says, beginning her toast to us, the newest members of the Silver Society.

I space out after that, still thinking about Five. I cut a hole in my dress and sewed up a hidden pocket so I could keep my phone close. And I want nothing more right now than to escape to the bathroom and text him. I need reassurance. I need to know he’s standing by, just like we planned over the summer. That he didn’t get caught. That all the people plotting against him didn’t finally get their wish and kill him to take over his grandfather’s Triad.

“Cheers!” everyone yells.

“Cheers, Rory,” Frank says, bringing his glass to touch mine. They make the most perfect sweet note as they tink together.

“Cheers,” I say. “To our future.” I take a drink of my champagne and watch Frank smile at me. Like I’m doing right.

That’s when it hits me. And I look at the glass in abject horror.

I just fucking drank something… and it wasn’t champagne.

My face contorts and I throw the glass down on the floor.

“Rory?” Frank asks. “Are you OK?”

But I’m getting sick as he talks. Whatever was in that drink, it has an immediate effect on my stomach. “I feel sick,” I say.

“Come on,” he says, taking my elbow and pulling me through the crowd. “Watch out,” he says to the people crowding around us. “Move back, Rory’s not feeling well.”

“I’m gonna puke,” I say. And it’s true. I’m about to—

I puke all over the shiny, polished floor.

People gasp and then they do get the fuck out of the way.

Frank takes me into the women’s bathroom and pushes me into a stall. I drop to my knees and hurl again. And again. And again. “What the hell is wrong with me?” I manage between episodes.

“Well,” Frank says. I look over my shoulder and watch him as he considers his words. How he’s got his arms crossed over his chest. The relaxed way he’s leaning against the sink. The smirk on his face. “You had to learn who’s boss eventually, Aurora. So I figured we might as well get that out of the way right now. Before you go and fuck everything up.”

“You… you did this me?” I ask. “You poisoned me?”

“Why not?” he asks. “I did, after all, kill Tera last night. And you know what?”

I’m gonna get him back for this. I repeat it over and over in my head.

“It’s all your fault she’s dead. Your disappearance over the summer. Your distance. That’s what triggered her into being paranoid.”