Chapter 146. As Friends

CLARISA

It was disconcerting to have this woman ask me to dance while looking me in the eye. She had one of those faces that looked familiar, even if I couldn’t place it. I had never been asked to dance by another woman before. I was on the verge of refusing; I was not in the mood to enjoy myself at all, and I just wanted to be left alone in silence.

“You look distressed. Has something bad happened?” she asked in a friendly tone.

I did not expect to trust anyone talking to me tonight; the sect could be infiltrated anywhere. Only the dining room and garden were open to the public, so any suspected attackers would be there.

The woman smiled and took one of my hands.

“You can open up a little; this fear is building up and hurting.”

Her words were not hostile, and I did not detect any falseness in her eyes. Other boys approached to invite me, and to avoid them, I accepted the woman’s offer instead. I preferred dancing with her than having to dance wit