The Lone Blue: Escrea

knock

knock

hird time, pulling her from sleep as

she called ou

ed through the door,

he caretakers. Master Lace asked th

she echoed

was deep and dark. Night? Had she

-What do I wear? How do I even star

that the family is gathered at the tabl

fa

chest. I'm not ready for th

ding her thought

you. And a gown. Forgive us-we entered your room

e responded, loud enough for

ank you for drawing th

d across

n she s

ormous bed, was a gown. A gown so beauti

it for a mom

he thought. If I wore this in publi

rted toward the bath, quickly clean

-

rware and quiet murmurs. One of the maids leaned in cl

when he

polite

courte

eal

mile he'd sh

ool, refined, yet unmistakably

id calmly, "let us prepa

turned fi

is house. And animosities, rivalrie

nned the fac

n my w

aise her voice. Her

was her eyes that silenced the room. Eyes that sp

eeded to

he head of

me was

or Mari

-

her elegance, a sudden noise broke the calm

ound of some

s his face. Without a word, he hurried away from the table.

her-Chloe-kneeling on the floor, clearly trying to

, brushing herself off. "I jus

okay," he said with a reassuring smile. "Next time

lking together toward the dining room, they were

them, her gaze scanning Chloe from head to toe. Chloe,

-subtle but telling.

she said. "My name is Marionette Lurk Blue, and I am

e. Alpha? she thought, u

Chloe's hand toward Maria. "Th

small, respectful bow. "It's a ple

eased. "Chloe. That's a

miled n

oothly. "That makes you family... for now. So I suggest you feel at ho

ow to respond. Was that a

od," she

flowing like water as she moved. "Come," she

loe leaned toward him and whis

tly. "You'll und

at cold figure still watched-silent, unseen. Neither

se... something deeper, older or newer and