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“Which means we have to decide on which outfits we have to wear,” Catalina murmured to Kaleb, his face souring as he huffed a chuckle.

“Oh, Bethany! I hope you have thought about our matching attire. I have no preference, though I wouldn’t mind sporting a dress this year,” Noah chimed to her as she steered away from his side.

Anabella cleared her throat. “This year’s Christmas Ball will be dedicated to appreciation.”

“The invitation has been extended to select Elected Officials within the Human Bureau and Ministry alike,” Bethany mentioned. “Even close servants that assist them.”

“All high-ranking guardians are to attend,” Davina added, her eyes flickering above me. She hadn’t turned, yet I noticed the way she gazed behind me, the goblet exposing the window that reflected what was behind her. “Which includes the one behind us.”

ChapterSeventeen

KATERINA ELI

Maybe for once, I wasn’t opposed to running. But it was impossible because fuck did my body hurt.

It was as if my muscles were overexerted, a soreness echoing within my bones and extending deep inside me. Even my gums ached as if my teeth had been repeatedly pulled out. But there were no memories that explained why I felt like this. No thoughts. Nothing.

What happened?

Searching for a crumb of a hint caused me to stick out. Walking into the dining room in a room full of snakes heightened the need to sprint away.

New faces appeared among the Ambrogio sisters, fourteen chairs occupied by a brother and a sister next to each other. What was it with these families and their need to have so many kids? The exact amount at that?

Regardless, all of their overwhelming scents intensified the headache that pounded against my skull.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

Davina spoke as if I hadn’t just asked a question. “It’s quite simple. There will be a curated list for every guest and household, the max of invited guardians depending on how large the attending family is.”

“In your case, it would be three,” Bethany said.

Davina angled her face to where I stood, revealing Alek, who didn’t look at me at all. For one second, he’d held me as if we were more than reluctant allies. In another, he didn’t even pay attention to me. Asshole.

But why did I think otherwise? And why did it cause my chest to hurt?

“You, deary, must take a spot.” Her voice was stern, and no one went against her command. Not even Kaleb, who shot daggers at me.

How fun.

“Father wants us all to showcase our unification,” Anabella muttered, “In hopes it keeps the Mubaraks’ disappearance out of view. News outlets have begun raising questions regarding their absences during hearings. The confirmation of the Christmas Ball’s theme and the new attendance sheet will bury it.”

“They’re doing too much for a family that routinely vanishes,” Catalina murmured as she rolled her eyes.

“So not only will guardians be guests but still operating like usual,” Kaleb declared, his gaze turning cold.

My stomach twisted as a burn scraped against my throat. I wanted to run to the nearest bathroom, but I stayed still. They had yet to dismiss me. If they wanted me to stay, then they’ll deal with my vomit.

“Oh my, what a brilliant idea! Continuous labor disguised as fun,” Noah exclaimed as he clapped.

“No, you idiot. It’s not an undercover job,” Catalina spat. “But if by chance something out of the ordinary occurs, then the already stationed guardians will have reinforcements.”

They continued barking back and forth, their voices blending into one another as my mind trailed. It was quiet, maybe even too quiet at a time like this. There were double the vampires in my presence, so where wasshe? I wasn’t complaining, but I was suspicious. Withoutherpresence, it led me to question the throbbing in my chest.

What happened that left my body so fatigued? How did I get here?

I can recall the feeding room. Taking Lace’s call after stepping out. Then. . . blank. After that, the last thing was waking up in Alek’s lap, his expression softening like it had never done before.

Something fluttered in my stomach, and it wasn’t the puke.