Cassius's expression went cold as winter stone. "You should not be here."

Evelyn's lips twisted into something that might have been a smile if it hadn't been so cruel. Her attention shifted to me, and I felt the weight of her contempt like ice water in my veins.

"And this is why?" Her voice dripped with disgust. "This girl? She's nothing, Cassius. A servant playing dress-up. She doesn't belong in our world—she is not one of us."

My heart hammered so hard I could hear it in my ears, but before ...