taught me. I kept my eyes ahead, and my arms firmly at my side. I had been trained by the best to be a household Walker, I could do this.
“Oh dear,” Madam B said while circling me. “I see what you mean, Jules.”
“What?” I asked.
“You’re not going to work at all.”
I swore I heard Huxley say, “Thank God,” but I didn’t dwell on that.
“What do you mean I’m not going to work? I’ve been a Walker my whole life, I was trained by the best in etiquette and cooking. I lived in the Governor of Galla’s manor.” I’d never been one to brag about my upbringing, but I felt it pertinent to show her my abilities.
Madam B traveled back until she was facing me. Her eyes gave me one last appraising swoop before she spoke again. “That's great and all, hon. But we don’t need a Walker. We need a Companion. I bet you’re a virgin.”
I felt the blood rush from my skin as I bit my lips in embarrassment. How could she possibly know that?
“Oh, no, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I know many girls that wish they had your predicament. Not many want this life,” she said, “but for this mission, we need someone with a bit more experience. Someone who can blend in and flirt.”
“I can do that!” I resolved. I was determined to fit whatever mold she needed me to. “I can do whatever it takes.”
“Oh really?” Madam B asked. “Louis, come down here please,” she yelled towards the stairs while keeping her eyes on me.
Soon, pounding boots descended the stairs, and a man with reddish hair and black eyes bounded towards us. He looked like Madam B but had more freckles peppered across his skin.
“This is my son, Louis. Seduce him,” she ordered. Beside me, I watched as Huxley, Patrick, Kemper, and Jacob went into fits of disapproval.
“Abso-fucking-lutely not!” Huxley shouted.
“Certainly there is another way,” Kemper then added.
Patrick laughed like the idea was absurd before giving Louis a murderous glare.
Jacob, who was still fumbling to remove his mindspeak translator from his ears was letting loose a list of monotoned threats.
“Enough!” Madam said, holding up her hand. She gave me a sly smile while taking in the angry group of men in her sitting room before speaking again. “All of them? Well well well, maybe I’ve underestimated you after all.”
She took another look at me, and I stopped trying to stand tall. I thought of my guys. Of the heated stares, the sensual way they touched me. I pushed each loving thought I had of them to the forefront of my mind while standing beneath Madam B’s intrusive stare. Finally, she spoke. “You still have a lot to learn, and not enough time to do it. We have a meeting tomorrow, and I’ll let the other girls decide if you’re fit to stay. Until then, Louis will show you all to your rooms. Tonight, Jules will change your appearance so my son can update you in the Walker database.”
Instinctually, I reached up to touch my hair and frowned when I imagined all the things Jules would do to me. And as if reading my mind, Madam B said, “The idea is to make you attractive. Don’t worry. She’s smart enough not to do anything ridiculous.”
“Thank you,” I choked out. Madam B was a strange woman, indeed. But I found her humor and abruptness endearing.
“Stay off the third floor, it’s where my girls work. Not unless you want a lesson in seduction.” She winked at me and turned away, leaving us all in the entryway.
Louis looked at all of us before speaking to me. “I was going to make a joke about seducing me, but I don’t feel like dying today. I was at least hoping to make it to the end of the month. I’m going back to work.” He gave an awkward wave before heading back upstairs.
“Smart man,” Huxley said. “I like him.”
Chapter Ten
I spent a good half hour searching for myself in the reflection of a dirty mirror in Jules and Tallis’ room. The unfamiliar girl staring back at me had long, straight hair that hit my lower back. The sleekness of it had me baffled. I’d always been at war with my curls, but these unfamiliar new tresses had me missing my wild mane. Jules applied some cream to it, lightening the shiny strands to match my white roots.
A plumping serum took my already cushioned lips and made them even more voluptuous.