Arielle sat on the edge of her bed, her head still spinning from the effects of last night’s drinking. She pressed her fingers against her temples and exhaled slowly. A few strands of hair fell across her face, and she tucked them behind her ear, her eyes lifting to meet her reflection in the mirror.

What stared back at her was a pale, tired version of herself. Then it struck her—today was the day. Today she would collect the letter from the council, and it was also the day she was ...