Charles stepped out from the car, wearing a tailored dark navy wool jacket over a white shirt, with matching trousers. His hair was brushed into a loose, bronze wave on top, clipped short on the sides. He glanced toward me and then did a slow sweep, taking in every person around us.
“Are you ready, Miss Erin?”
“Charles”, I breathed. “Have you recovered from your fever?”
“Yes. I will escort you to the office today.”
“Is that necessary?”
“I have orders from the top.”
My mouth folded together, grimacing as I knew who he referred to as the top. Rowan and Reed.
It was the day of our announcement, and they both had progressively gotten worse. I looked over my shoulder only to see my parents and sister stepping out. They insisted on coming no matter how I tried to talk them out of it.
“F
