Chapter 18: Quillan Night

Maren pulled her hand out of the donor's grip.

His fingers slid down her glove, and he laughed, a little surprised.

"Shy," he said to the man beside him. "They always are, at first."

She walked away from him with her jaw locked.

At seven o'clock, Hester climbed the three steps to the stage.

The glass atrium went quiet, and fifty people turned their chairs.

Behind Hester, a screen lit up with the Institute's logo, a small gold flame.

"My friends," Hester said into the microphone. "Thank you for trusting us with a very special evening."

Applause, polite and warm.

"Tonight, for the first time, you will see what we have spent nine years building."

She let them wait.

"A human gift that cannot be taught or bought."

She held out her hand toward Maren.

"Miss Teague. Come and show them."

Maren climbed the steps.

The stage lights were hot and white, and she could not see past the first row.

She could see the four girls at the foot of the stage, sitting very straight in their ribbons.

She could see Jonah at the edge of the steps, with his left hand in his pocket.

He gave her one small nod.

Hester put the microphone stand between them and smiled out at her donors.

"Miss Teague will take the hand of one of our guests," she said. "She'll tell us what she sees. Whom shall we..."

"You," Maren said.

The microphone caught it. It went out across the room.

Hester's smile did not change.

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