"Mallory?" One of the scouts came up to her, holding a list. Her dark hair was tied back in a bun and she flipped the page, raising one eyebrow. "Are you Mallory?"
She pursed her lips, raising an eyebrow. "I've got some orders from the kitchens," she reported, offering the list to her. "They want an influx of some greens. They said to talk to the girl who doesn't talk."
She considered Rory for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "So, did they cut out your tongue or somethin'?"
She looked up at the girl, appearing a bit uncomfortable. She turned slightly, her posture tense as she shook her head.
She squinted before scoffing. "Whatever. We don't need weakness in our clan," she said, rolling her eyes. "Chances are, you'll die soon enough anyway."
The girl, Rory would come to learn, was named Madeline, or Maddy to her friends. She was sharp and inappropriate and seemed to single out Rory in particular, especially once she realized that Rory had been speaking closely with Emerson. One day, after Rory had been visiting Emerson, she cornered her in the hallway. "You speak to him, then?" she asked, sounding oddly furious.
