I couldn't help the smile that crept up my cheeks. I knew the real reason that she had decided to stay, and I was so proud of her.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm awesome, I know."
Yeah, that was one of her many drawbacks, slightly self-centered. "Anyways, how long will we be staying?"
"That depends on when he comes for you. He could come for you early in the morning or late at night. If you need anything, just holler. I'm the mortician, it's been a pleasure. Goodnight, ladies and gentleman." And without another word, he was gone.
We were greeted at the door by a tall and slender man in a black tail coat. Unlike everyone else we'd seen so far, he looked like he was living.
"Good evening, may I assume you are Liliana Aster and Jacob, Roxanne and Alice Rose?" His voice was deep and accented. Almost French, but not quite. His hair was short and golden brown. His complexion was a light olive and his eyes were black. " We've been expecting you four. Please come inside and I will show you to your personal quarters." He walked ahead at a brisk pace and me and Jake had to run to keep up with him. My room had a four-poster bed with red and white sheets, bright red curtains, a fireplace and floor to ceiling bookshelves.
"Can I come in?"
"Yeah, Jake. Come on in." He's wearing a new suit, tie and black dress shoes, it's probably the nicest thing he's ever worn.
"Have you looked in the bathroom? There's a new change of clothes in there." On the back of the door, was a dress. A lovely ballgown. It was light grey with blue accents and a red ruby necklace on a gold chain. A maid came in and helped me to get dressed in front of a mirror. Everything inside me was screaming and I felt as if I was about to explode. I was stunning!
"You look better than Roxie." Jake walks up next to me and stares at our reflections in the mirror. "So, shall we?" He offers his arm like a gentleman in those old english movies.
"Since when did you become such a gentleman?" I take his arm and we descend the staircase to the main foyer where everyone is waiting. Roxie's eyes flash dangerously as Lily's face lights up. She was in the same gown that was in the town.
"Wow! You look absolutely stunning!" She squealed and gave me a hug. "Be careful, we're being watched. Don't react, just laugh. He took Louise I saw her with my own two eyes. She's locked behind a barred cage of black light." She pulled away and smiled joyously at me, "Come on! Let's go to this party!" She pulled me behind her and to a large ballroom. Thousands of people crowded together talking and laughing, but none of them were dancing. A couple turned to look at me, but none of them spoke.
"Is that her? The twin?"
"I think so. She's beautiful. Do you think she knows about the necklace?"
"If she doesn't, she's about to find out."
All of these women were about my age! And they all had missing posters hanging in town square. Could I be the next one to join them? The very thought chilled my bones.
"Ladies and Gentleman, please give a grand welcome to our Overlord, Alex Aster and his daughter, Louise!"