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CHAPTER36
CHRISTY
“We have two days to go until the ball,Christy,” One says, snarling around my name. “I need perfection, not mediocrity.”
Beside her Two stretches, laughing smugly. You’d think she’d be grateful that I stepped up. Not a chance. She’s as cold and self-centred as One is. There’ll be no gratitude from either of them, despite rehearsing with the Numbers these past few days for hours and hours until my feet are covered in blisters and my toenails ripped and bloody.
“Christy is far from a mediocre dancer,” Three interjects with a scowl. “She’s picked up the routine quickly and is as good a dancer as I am. Better actually.”
One snorts in derision, jerking her chin towards the centre of the room. “Again,” she snaps. “We have just two days left until the ball. I want perfection. Itisn’tperfect.”
I huff out a breath, getting into my starting position when all I want to do is poke her damn eyes out for what she did to Jakub.
“Uh oh, One sure is pissed at you,” Four says sweeping past me, her long blonde hair flowing out behind her as she moves. In her hands she holds her violin and bow, and I watch as she rests it beneath her chin and starts to play.
“Again!” One snaps, glaring at me.
Gritting my teeth and ignoring the giggles coming from the triplets I begin to dance. Pretty soon I’m lost to the movement and everyone in the room disappears. Dancing for me is cathartic, a way to express myself when worries, thoughts and fears make that impossible. It’s a side of me that, until I arrived here, was kept secret.
Not anymore.
Moving across the floor I think about Grim and Beast and how I’m going to navigate my emotions around them. I think about my uncle and aunt who will be beside themselves with worry. I think about how much I’ve changed since arriving here, about the friends I’ve made and the relationships I’ve formed. I think about my mother and her letters. I think about The Masks, and my feelings towards them.
The other day when I had said that they were mine, I meant it. Ifeltit.
That hasn’t changed. If anything it’s strengthened. With every passing day my feelings have grown exponentially, and the bond I share with them is strengthening. Made stronger since that incredible night we shared in their room of pleasures.Ourroom of pleasures, because if I know one thing for certain: no other woman will set foot in there. No one but me.
A feeling of possessiveness fills my chest, and it makes my steps vigorous and angry as I imagine One’s talons trying their best to sink into Jakub. I’ve seen the looks she’s been giving him, the obsession in her eyes, thejealousy. She’s a problem, and I have no desire to leave this castle knowing she’ll be left behind with them. But what choice do I have?
I have to leave in order to save their lives.
“Okay, I’ve seen enough!” One snaps, dragging me mentally back into the room.
I pant, my chest heaving, sweat sliding over my skin as I glare at her and she glares back. I’m fully aware of the rest of the Numbers watching us face off, but I don’t care.
She wants Jakub, but shecan’thave him.
“Is there something you want to say, One?” I ask, my voice icy.
One stands, pushing back the piano stool. It clatters to the floor, the sound making the triplets jump and Six shake her head at me in warning.
“Christy, don’t,” she says.
“Everyone out!” One snaps, glaring at the Numbers.
“Christy?” Three asks, hesitating as the triplets, Four, Eight and Two leave the room.
“I’ll be fine. One and I need to talk.”
Three gives Five a look of concern, a silent conversation passing between them before Five flicks her amber eyes to me. “I’ll be just outside if you need me,Mistress,” she stresses, fingering a small blade strapped to her chest as she walks out with Six.
“Mistress?!” One questions, her eyes widening at Five’s choice of address.
“Indeed. The Masks have chosenChristy. I respect that choice as should you,” Five says calmly, before following the rest of the Numbers out.
One waits for the door to shut before rounding on me. “You really think you’ve changed them, don’t you?” she asks, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I don’t think, I know.”
