SERAPHINA’S POV

Miss Lucy leaves to join the rest of the guests waiting in the hall after our little chat, which has strengthened my resolve to fight this curse more than ever.

I'm standing just outside the hall now, minutes later, staring at the large double doors separating me from everyone else, breathing nervously with sweating palms.

I take my time counting breaths so I don't forget to inhale and exhale.

Crippled by fear, trembling slightly from what I'm about to face out there, I let ...