~Layla~
I sat down with Nathaniel at the table. Candles had been lit. The girl smiled at me when they walked past, and they acknowledged my existence. Never had I been reminded of our need for societal acceptance as I had since coming here. Not having anyone talking to me was a mental torture that competed with the spell on my chest. However, another thing I also realized was my part in this game. To survive and win, I needed to become exactly what Nathaniel wanted me to be, and it didn’t feel too far-fetched from who I was.
I looked around the room and saw the girls standing by the exits.
“Leave us,” I said and looked at them.
They, however, turned to Nathaniel in confusion and awaited an order.
“Did you not hear me?” I asked. I looked at the younger girl, the one who wal
