Private (Private 1)

Run. Get out now. Run and never look back.

“You have my stuff?” I said.

Noelle took my hand that held the candle and forced me to hold

But the line was already dead. I looked up at the window again

it up. She tipped her candle toward mine and lit it. My fingers and Noelle was still smiling. She lifted her hand and crooked her shook as I gripped the taper. My mouth was gummy and sour.

finger, beckoning me inside. And then, ever so slowly, the curtains Noelle stepped back and faced me. Her eyes were as flat as weath-fell closed.

ered stone. What were they going to do to me? Why was I here?

226

K A T E B R I A N

P R I V A T E

227

“The women of Billings House receive you, Reed Brennan, into

It’s just Ariana. What’s wrong with you?

our circle,” Noelle said.

Noelle stood next to me and faced the others. I stared at Ariana, My pulse raced ahead so fast I felt dizzy and faint. All the colors transfixed, unable to look away. I was desperate for a glimpse of the and faces in the room rushed together and I had to force myself to girl I knew, but there was something wrong there. Something off.

breathe.

“Ladies?” Noelle said.

Receive me into their circle? What did that mean? Did that

“Welcome, Reed! To our circle!” they chorused.

mean . . . ?

Ariana’s flame finally held still and she came into sharp focus.

I found Kiran in the dim light and her frank gaze solidified me.

My breath caught. As she looked through me, I saw through her.

Next to her Taylor struggled to stifle a grin. That was when I knew And all I saw was blackness.

for sure.

Noelle leaned toward my ear. Her whisper so hushed, it was

I was in. At Billings House. Somehow, someway, I had been cho-

barely a breath.

sen to live here. Yes, they had taken my things, but they had taken

“You’re one of us now.”