Chapter 193

It didn’t matter how many times Grace heard some version of this story; it never became any easier to listen to.

There were no words of comfort she could offer Mabel. The truth was simply too ugly.

"That is how they do it," she eventually explained. "The place you were taken to before this one is what we call the dark home. They want you confused and frightened. They want you to lose your sense of the world beyond these walls until you can no longer remember what life was like before you came here. They do it to break your spirit and strip you of everything that makes you who you are, until you’re nothing but a shell of a person. That way, you’re much easier to control."

To most people, it was a fate worse than death.

"Is there no way out of here? There has to be." There was a flicker of hope, even as she struggled to make sense of their situation. "We can’t stay here. We can’t let this continue."

Grace had no desire to crush that fragile hope, but allowing Mabel to cling to it could be just as cruel. If she wasn’t careful, the girl might attempt something reckless and pay dearly for it. Grace would never forgive herself if that happened when she could have prevented it.

She learned the hard way what false hope could do to a person. It could keep someone going when everything else had been taken from them, giving them just enough strength to endure another day. But when that hope finally died, it could destroy them more thoroughly than despair ever could.

"There is no way out of this place."

Mabel’s face crumpled. "You don’t know that. Has anyone actually tried to escape, or have you all simply accepted your fate without even attempting to fight back?"

She was grasping at straws now, desperately searching for something that would contradict what Grace told her. She couldn’t accept it. If Grace was right, then their lives were already over, and they were merely waiting for the inevitable.

"Everyone who tried to escape died in the process." This time, it was Elsie that answered. She had been awake throughout their conversation, listening without interrupting. "Once you’re here, death is the only way out."

Grace quickly stepped in to offer helpful pieces of advice. "You need to keep your head down. Do as the wardens tell you, and don’t draw attention to yourself. Whatever you do, don’t give them a reason to single you out." Her voice grew sterner as she continued. "There are no kind wardens here, so don’t be fooled by appearances. They’re rotten to the core, every last one of them. Sadists. No decent person would willingly take a job like this."

"They won’t hesitate to hurt us," Grace continued. "You need to understand that. We may be valuable to them, but that doesn’t mean they care what happens to us. The people watching over this place aren’t going to show you mercy. They won’t grow kinder because you cry, and begging won’t make them show mercy. They’re demons, and you must never forget that." She drew a breath before delivering the only real advice she could offer that might keep Mabel alive. "You have to learn to survive one day at a time. Don’t think about how long you’ll be here. Don’t worry about next month or next year. Thinking that far ahead will only make it harder to endure. For now, all you need to think about is tomorrow."

***

Draven had been waiting in Cassandra’s sitting room for nearly half an hour when the door connecting it to her bedchamber opened a crack. Nora, Cassandra’s lady’s maid, peered through the narrow gap.

"Your Grace, Her Grace would like to see you."

"Is something wrong?" he asked. Beside him was the package he brought along with him.

"No, Your Grace. Her Grace merely wishes to inspect your attire before you leave."

Draven stared at her, momentarily convinced he had misheard. "Inspect my attire?" he repeated, bewildered

Nora’s lips twitched as though she were struggling to suppress a smile. "Her Grace wishes to ensure that you are properly dressed for the occasion. She has rather high... expectations."

Draven glanced down at himself. His evening coat fitted him perfectly, his waistcoat was immaculate, and his cravat had been knotted with far more care than he ordinarily considered necessary. He had even endured his valet fussing over his hair for an unreasonable length of time to ensure that not a single strand was out of place.

Earlier, Cassandra had impressed upon him the importance of making a favourable appearance. That evening would mark their first major social engagement as husband and wife, and she was determined that they present a flawless picture to society. She had made her expectations abundantly clear, leaving him in little doubt that she would tolerate nothing less than perfection.

Apparently, that extended to inspecting him herself.

Was he inclined to think she was taking things a little too far? Without a doubt. Would he refuse her request? Certainly not. He was hers to do with as she pleased, and if she wished to inspect his attire before they departed, he would hardly object.

Besides, whatever peculiar reason Cassandra had for summoning him, he was not about to squander an opportunity to see her.

He rose from his chair and collected the package he had brought along before making his way to the bedchamber. Nora stepped aside to let him pass.

Cassandra stood before the full length mirror while Rachel made the final adjustments to the back of her gown. The lavender silk suited her beautifully, its pale shade complementing her complexion while delicate embroidery adorned the bodice. The gown followed the fashionable high waist, falling in graceful folds to the floor, and the fine lace edging at her sleeves lent it an understated elegance.

Her hair had been arranged in an elegant updo, with a few loose curls framing her face. A pair of delicate earrings adorned her ears, but her neck remained bare.

Draven stopped just inside the doorway.

"You look beautiful," he said. The sight of her was something he would never grow tired of.

Cassandra met his gaze in the mirror. A pleased smile stretched her lips, but instead of immediately returning the compliment, she turned towards him and began her inspection, humming thoughtfully.

Draven waited patiently, eager to hear her verdict.