Century Portal: A YA Historical Urban Fantasy Academy Book (Sacred Stones Portal Series 1) by Barbara Hartzler

Author:Barbara Hartzler [Hartzler, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SparkHart Press LLC
Published: 2024-05-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LUCINDA

“I CANNOT believe you just called me breeding stock. That’s low, even for you, Vivian.” Hot tears pricked at my eyelids as searing heat rushed to my face.

Was this girl trying to make me all red and splotchy?

She sneered at me as if she had something more to say, but her friend cut her off.

“Vivian, Marion, come on, let’s go get ready,” Clarissa said, moving backward as she offered me an apologetic look.

I nodded at her, then turned to her evil friends. White-hot rage sizzled through my limbs, and I curled my fingers into fists.

And then an epiphany came to me. Out of nowhere, like my guardian angel himself had spoken to me. She was jealous. Plain and simple. Now that was an emotion I could understand.

“You know, Vivian, you should be wearing a green dress,” I said.

“Excuse me? To a debutante ball? Only you would think of such an atrocity.” She choked on her own maniacal laughter.

I leveled my gaze at her, standing my ground. “No, I take that back. Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.”

Alice and Lillian started giggling.

Vivian stared at me, her face slack. Probably because she knew I was right.

My maid bustled up to us, my jewelry box in her hand.

“Girls, if you please. Go on back to your stations. I need to get Miss Sinclair ready for the ball.” Minnie shooed them away.

I’d never been more grateful for Minnie in my life. Smiling at her, I dipped my head so she could place the Sinclair family Guardian Amethyst pendant around my neck.

This necklace had been my dear Grandmama’s favorite. She wore it all the time.

The purple stone was shaped like a giant upside down teardrop and ringed with small round diamonds all around. Even though the necklace was heavy at first, it felt right around my neck. It made me feel powerful.

Perhaps I could use this necklace to amplify my powers like my new friends had taught me. That could be the stone’s true purpose. Perhaps Grandmama was watching out for me after all.

Smiling, I wrapped my hand around the jewel.

Lillian rose to her feet and sashayed over to me. “Are you okay, Lucinda? That was downright evil of Vivian.”

Alice glanced over her shoulder. “But you handled it like a champ. Pointing out how jealous Vivian is of you. It’s so obvious.”

“I know. It’s time someone put her in her place.” I gestured to the empty chair, arching an eyebrow at Lillian. “May I?”

“Be my guest.” Lillian smiled at me. “Future Seer.”

“Oh, stop it.” Grinning back, I shook my head. “You’ll make me blush again, and it’ll take me even longer to put on my makeup.”

“Fine, I’ll be good.” Lillian winked at me, swishing her skirt in the full-length mirror.

We hurried through the rest of our preparations until we were satisfied with our appearance.

Even though everything was in place, I could feel the swell of butterflies flocking to my stomach.

With Ricardo Montrose as my escort, this would probably be a strange, taxing evening.

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