Page 17 of Semblance

“I choose her,” Shadow said.

My heart turned into lead and sunk like an anchor; deep into the murky ocean that was my stomach. Did I just hear him correctly?

“I choose the Golden Virgin,” Shadow repeated.

The lord of the Midnight Society had chosen me—nobody special—to be his bride.

Ignoring the gasps of everyone around me, I allowed two words to escape my quivering lips.

“Oh shit.”

#

Chapter Five

“I don’t think you understand how this works,” Calisto said to Shadow. “The Golden Virgin is not a member of the Midnight Society. She’s not even a member of high society; not yet anyway.”

Shadow shook his head. “You wanted me to make my decision Calisto, and I did. The Golden Virgin is who I have chosen.”

“I think you should listen to your sister,” I was quick to chime in. “Really, you don’t want to choose me. I’m just a ragamuffin girl who knows how to play a tune on the piano.”

“I’ve heard your story,” Shadow said. “It touched me in a profound way. With such an intriguing and mysterious history, how can I not choose you to be my eternal soul mate?”

I could sense a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Damn it Calisto, your stupid fairy tale stories about me were causing me a lot of grief. I had to sort this out before things got any worse.

“Look,” I began. “The truth of the matter is--”

“The prince has made his choice everyone,” Calisto was quick to interrupt me. “As controversial as it may seem, who are we to judge the decision of a Tremaine?”

Furious protests shattered the silence as the guests voiced their displeasure all at once.

“You’re kidding me, she’s a lowborn!” one woman cried out.

“This will tarnish the Tremaine family name,” another man in a monkey mask shouted. “This has to be a joke.”

Calisto raised both her hands to silence everyone.

“My brother has made his decision, and might I remind you that heisthe lord of the Midnight Society. Anyone who opposes this can take it up with him privately if you wish.”

Dead silence.

“Wonderful,” she said. “Refreshments will be brought out shortly. In the meantime, perhaps the Council of Seven can convene in the study, along with my ever-so-wise brother?”

“How can I say no to my ever-so-lovely sister,” he replied with jest.

While everyone was distracted,nowwas a good time as any to escape all this madness. I could scale the walls with some Spiderman shit and flee from this disaster.

“As for the Golden Virgin, we’d love for you to attend our little meeting as well,” Calisto said, her attention focused on me.

Shit.

“You know, it’s actually getting kind of late,” I began.

“Nonsense,” Calisto said. “This night just started and you, my little nightingale, are the centre of attention. Isn’t that what you always wanted? Attention?”

“With a piano in front of me, yes,” I replied. “But the last thing I wanted was to get forced into some sacred love bond.”

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