She gives a half-hearted smile. “You'd better sit, you look worse than I feel.”
My legs carry me to a chair. “Your marks are fake?”
“It hurt enough getting them to be real, but yes, by tarnished standards, they're fake.”
“And your hair?”
“Shaved clean every morning.”
“How can you not be a tarnished? You look just like one. You work and live in their section of town. Why would you do that if you're not one of them?”
“It's a long story.”
“You can't tell me you're not tarnished without explaining. Please, tell me.”
She sighs. “Father chose an old warlock to marry me. A really old warlock. Lots of money and power. He lived in another town. It was unlikely I'd see mother again. Plus, he smelled something fierce. Like rotting vegetables. So I ran away.”
“You ran?” I slap my hand onto my chest. “Running never crossed my mind. How did you consider it an option?”
“One of the servants ran off when I was a little girl. It never left my memory. They caught her and hung her, but I always wished she had gotten away. When the chance came, I took it. Had I known what waited on the streets, I would have married the smelly old man.” She shudders. “Now, I'm glad for the choice. Despite the hard work, I'm free as any woman can be in this country.” Her voice cracks. “And after everything, it's going to end.”
I switch to the chair next to hers and squeeze her hand. “We'll figure something out. Is this why you were upset when we came to visit?”
She nods.
It must have been hard dealing with this and no one to talk to. “You spoke of helping me escape once, could we make that work for you?”
“Perhaps. But it's not easy or likely with my inked face. Plus, I like my life and there are others I have to consider.”
“What others?”
She breaks eye contact. “Friends I've made.”
Is she hiding more from me? If she is, I can't imagine what else it could be.
Her gaze comes back to mine. “I like you. I'd hate not having you around anymore.”
“But if they discover you, they won't tarnish you.” The truth hits me like a pack of daughters. “They'll kill you for it, wouldn't they?”
Her lips form a thin line. She nods.
I sag in my chair and think. Is there any way to help her? Anything we can do besides sending her away? I don't want to see her go away either, but if it means she'll be safe, it would be worth it. “I have one other idea, but it'll be risky.”
“Riskier than what I've already been doing?”
“Perhaps.” Would asking Zade to help work? Especially with the trouble I've already brought him. Is there a way to find out without endangering Katherine even more? However I word it, he knows Katherine is the tarnished I talk with most. “I could talk to Chancellor Zade. He's different than the others. It's possible he might be willing to help.”
Her silence says a lot.
“Forget I mentioned it.”
“No, it's fine. You just surprised me.” She lowers her voice further. “Do you really think he would be willing to help, or would he turn me in?”
It would be easier if I knew. “I can't say for sure.”
She lifts her head. “When will it be implemented?”
“I don't know. Soon.”
After a minute of silence she says, “He sought me out to pay me more than he should have for the dresses. I've seen how he treats you and your sisters. And Waverly. I think it may be worth it.” A look of determination fills her. “Let's try. There are others who will need help too if it works and I want to know he's trustworthy before putting them in danger.”
“Others pretending to be tarnished like you?”
“I'm the only one pretending. That I know of, anyway. I probably shouldn't have said anything, but if you're willing to help—” She shakes her head. “I know tarnished who would like to avoid the law.”
I nod, curious, but not wanting to push her. “Let's see if we can find him.”
Her face loses some of its color, but she stands and follows me out. It doesn't take long to find him. A servant directs us to his study. Why is it always the study?
My hands shake, but I don't hesitate to knock. I've already asked much of him. But this is the only way I can think of to help. I hope my instinct is right and he doesn't turn Katherine in and punish me. The thought makes my stomach churn. I want to take back my offer, but the door opens before I can do anything.
Zade looks us over, then opens the door wider. “Please come in.”
Once we're seated, Zade at his desk shuffling through papers, he asks, “What can I do for you? Do you need more money for the dresses?”
“No, you've already given too much,” Katherine says.
“It's something else entirely.” I swallow, build my courage, and say, “Remember the new rules on the tarnished?”
He puts down the papers and stares at me. “Of course.”
His gaze almost makes me lose the last bit of courage I have, but I push on. “Katherine was wondering— Or rather, I was wondering and Katherine agreed that we should ask if you could help. With the law.”