Strangers in the End
"Steward, a stray's wandered into the hall. Deal with her, quickly, before she soils the Thorne family's dignity."
She shouted it with her chin in the air, as though showing off a trophy.
The hall's steward came over and asked deferentially, "Excuse me, miss. Might I see your invitation?"
Karina watched me, gloating, apparently certain I couldn't produce the pass that marked one's right to enter.
Eli's brow knit tight, and just as he made to speak again, I'd already drawn out the invitation stamped with the thorned-rose crest.