A sharp, stabbing pain tore through Anna’s stomach, wrenching her awake. She doubled over, clutching her belly with both hands as a low groan slipped out from her lips.

For a moment she focused only on breathing, waiting for the pain to ease.

Anna’s eyes shifted to the clock on the nightstand. It read 5:02 a.m., leaving her less than thirty minutes before she had to report to what she now called ‘the maid assembly ground.’

She never understood why they had to gather there every ...