by K. C. RILEY
I picked up the pace, given I was already a few minutes late.
The weather was warm, not too hot or cold, and the leaves were finally changing. The sidewalks were lined with trees that were gold, crimson, and green. Indian summer. It was one of my mom’s favorite times of the year. She said it was magical.
There was much to do and I took a deep breath before turning the corner into the alley and unlocking the back door to the shop. The smell of coffee was the first thing to hit my nose.
“Sorry, I’m late,” I said to Liam, the cook.
Pots and bowls clanged as he got everything in the kitchen set up for breakfast. “Don’t tell me. Tell them.” He pointed his spatula to the front door.
There were customers already waiting. Crap. I hustled on my apron and dashed to the door to let them in.
“Sorry, we’re running late,” I said. “Please. Come in. I’ll be with you shortly.”
It was a long morning. Darlene, the other waitress, never showed. And so much for asking her to take over the rest of my shift to get ready for The Black Ball.
I still felt like crap over Mason. But on a positive note, there was hope—the spell books in Mrs. Ellington's cellar. And there was also Fallen venom. Thanks to it, I was able to keep up with everyone’s order. I just had to remember, no more than one drop.
By 1:30 p.m. Vye had walked through the door, her face distorted, confused. She walked right past me as though I wasn’t there.
“Aunt Vye?”
She looked at me still dazed.
“Are you okay?”
“I went to the bank to try to convince them to give me some more time on the money I owed for the lease. They were going to close the shop in three days. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want you to worry. I thought I could fix it.”
I remembered the overdue bills piled on the counter the night Aunt Vye had let me in when Jake was taken by the Black Mist. The café meant everything to Aunt Vye. It was her baby.
“What happened?” I asked concerned.
“They said the loan had already been paid. Some kind of donation. This morning, right before I got there.”
“Did they say who?” My hands began to sweat, again not sure of what I had gotten myself, and now Aunt Vye, into.
“They said it was anonymous.”
I knew The Society was behind it. On the one hand, it was great, them saving Aunt Vye’s shop. On the other hand, what was the cost? Was this all because they believed I was the key to saving magic. Or was there more?
I had to shake it off. There had been so much bad news lately. Why not celebrate the good? “Well, that deserves one Caramel Frappe. On the house,” I said.
Vye smiled.
I went and stood at the coffee station to blend it up when she eased over.
“Sooo? How did it go?”
I stared at her not sure what she was talking about.
“You know, with Ezra,” she whispered. “The paw?”
I poured her drink into a glass cup and smothered it with whip cream and caramel. “Great,” I lied. I then placed a straw in it and handed it to her.
“So you got what you needed?” Vye asked.
“Totally.” Another lie. What was the point in telling her the truth? Ezra hated me.
“Well, good.”
“Yeah.”
Vye slurped on her Frappe. “Mmmmm. This is almost better than mine.”
“Thanks. The secret’s a touch of nutmeg.”
“Hmmm. I’ll keep that in mind.”
I smiled. “Hey, I know this couldn’t come at a worst time but I forgot to mention that I’ve got a school thing in an hour. It was last minute and kind of mandatory.”
“Why didn’t you say so? With the good mood I’m in? Of course. I’ve got things covered here.” Vye took another slurp of her Frappe. “This really is good,” Vye said heading toward the back. “You just come and get me when you’re ready to go.”
“I will. Thanks.” That had gone easier than I thought.
Everyone was blowing their horn and zooming past me. One of them even called me an old lady. I didn’t care. I was already a nervous wreck and wasn’t going any faster. Everything was backward. If I turned on a signal, the windshield wipers came on. When I turned them off, the car was asking me all kinds of questions about where I wanted to go. And which route I wanted to take. Did I want to shorten my trip by two minutes, three minutes, or five minutes? Really? Did it make a difference?
I kept telling it which way I wanted to go, but it wasn’t listening. I tried to turn it off and then the music almost blasted me through the roof.
I was worse than an old lady, and I missed my old car.
Upon reaching Mrs. Ellington’s, I went through the plan in my head again. The Ball started at seven and would end at midnight. At 11:00 p.m. I would make sure the coast was clear and head toward the cellar. I would then grab the books, get out, go change, and meet the girls at a quarter to 12 at the secret location. 674 Old Creeks Rd. Check.
I hoped to God it would work. I couldn’t take anyone else dying. It had to work.
I opened my bag, pulled out the business card from the mechanic, and gave him a quick call. Clyde had already ordered the parts he needed but they wouldn’t be in for at least a week. I begged and pleaded if there was anything more he could do to speed up the process. There wasn’t. I would just have to sit tight and wait.
With my bag on my shoulder, I got out of the car and headed toward the porch.
It was the same chaos that had ensued the day of the Homecoming Ball—the caterers, the house staff, and the florists unloading tons of flowers. I must have been early as I didn’t see any of the girls or guys from magic school.
There was, however, one thing this time that stood out. Mrs. Ellington’s housekeeper. Louise.
Before I even reached the porch, Louise had already come out to greet me. Weird. She had never done that before.
“Good afternoon, Miss Maverick.” She smiled like she was up to something.
“Afternoon.”
“If you’d follow me.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I know my way to the dressing room.”
“We won’t be using that room today.” It was only a second, but Louise’s eyes flickered all black again, just like they had done at Thalius’ funeral.
She was on the venom. She had to be. “Sure,” I said playing along. “Lead the way.” Louise was definitely one to keep my eyes on. The last time I had tried to get into the library, she had stopped me. I followed her past the chaos and into the house.
“Mrs. Ellington requested a special room for her younger guests. You’re a bit early, but the other girls should be arriving shortly. You’ll change with them.”
“Of course.”
I wanted to ask her if she was a part of The Society, but decided to keep my big mouth shut. We walked past the parlor room I used for changing at the Homecoming Ball, the one where I waltzed the night away in Jake’s arms in my jeans and sneakers until we nestled into each other’s arms on the couch. It was a total Cinderella moment, Meghan slashing my dress to keep me from the Ball only to find out that the only thing Jake cared about was me, exactly as I was. The thought of his hand at the curve of my back—pressing me closer into him—warmed my cheeks into a smile.
By now, he probably thought I had given up on him. I hadn’t. And I wouldn’t. I just needed a little more time. And I needed those spell books. I had already taken Cassie’s potion for removing the binding spell I suspected he had put there. I just hoped it worked.
“Here we are.” Louise opened up the double doors to another parlor room, just as beautiful as the one before, if not more so. The room was bright, the light coming from windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The walls were full of paintings of Victorian women romanticized by incredibly beautiful, charming men, some with the wings of fairies, and others with the wings of angels.
“How odd,” I said, unconsciously. I was captivated. E
nthralled. The energy between the human women and the supernatural men was alive and breathtaking. The paintings reminded me of Jake and myself.
“Miss Maverick?”
“Yes? Sorry,” I said, zoned out. “The room is beautiful.”
“It’s one of Mrs. Ellington’s favorite. There are refreshments on the table to the left. The bathrooms are to the right. Wardrobe should be here within minutes. Just make yourself comfortable.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Louise smiled and closed the door behind her.
One by one, I gaped at each painting, losing myself in the emotion, depth, and light captured in each piece of work. Was it the attraction between two lovers that pulled me in? Or was it something else supernatural? I wasn’t sure.
“Stunning, aren’t they?” Mrs. Ellington entered the room.
“They are,” I said still gawking.
“Yes. Each a forbidden love.”
“What do you mean?”
Mrs. Ellington interlaced her arm into mine as though we were best friends. We circled through each painting around the room as she told me the story of each.
“Each woman was a natural witch killed by The High Council for loving a fairy or an angel.”
So fairies were a thing too. I wasn’t even going to ask. “You mean The Society’s High Council?”
“Yes. The very ones arriving from Budapest within the hour.”
“Are you kidding?”
“No. Which is why you won’t say a word about your feelings toward Jake to anyone on The High Council or anyone at all. Let alone anything about rescuing him. They decided to drop in for a surprise visit. Go figure. And be warned. Their spies are everywhere.”
“But, you said you would help.”
“And so I shall. But…as Sister Clara has already pointed out. We need to do this wisely. I’m on your side. I know that’s hard to believe coming from me, but it’s true. Just follow my lead this evening. After all, this Ball is all for you.”
“Me?” I said dumbfounded.
“Yes. The High Council are curious about our newest member. I’ll introduce you to everyone you need to know. Stay close to my side. All you’ll have to do is smile and play smart. Think of it as a game of chess.”
“I don’t know how to play chess.” And close to her side? Was she kidding? I could barely stand being in the same room with her, let alone being locked arm in arm.
“You’ll learn.”
Clearly.
Some of the other girls, along with wardrobe, entered the room, giggling and talking in anticipation of the evening.
“Well, I best let you get ready,” Mrs. Ellington continued.
I had a flashback to the day Kai had channeled Mrs. Ellington’s father. He had been adamant about keeping Mrs. Ellington from marrying Mr. Ellington and kept apologizing for it as thought it had cost him something.
“Your father, was he a part of the Society?”
“Yes. Before he died he served on The High Council.”
Mrs. Ellington was as smart as a whip, ruthless, and obviously powerful. She had all the makings of a shady politician. “I’m just curious. Why aren’t you on The High Council?”
One of the staff came up to us. “Sorry to interrupt. Mrs. Ellington, you’re needed in the main ballroom.”
Mrs. Ellington, the woman who had basically killed my mother, smiled at me with a demeanor as warm as honey, and yet I knew I had struck a nerve with the last question. With a raised brow and pursed lips, she leaned down to my ear and whispered.
“Remember, you’re playing a game of chess. Stay close. Follow my lead. And smile.”
I hoped Cassie’s plan to keep Mrs. Ellington occupied was foolproof. It would have to be if I was going to get those books.
An older woman holding a clipboard called out my name. I raised my hand and she flagged me over. She then called out the names of some of the other girls, including Cassie who hadn’t arrived yet.
I hoped Mason was okay. More than that, I hoped he could hold on.
“If you’ll follow me,” the woman said to everyone.
And so we did, straight to an indoor spa a couple of halls down. The room was spectacular, a retreat and sanctuary far away from the troubles and worries of Shadowick. The tension in my shoulders wasted no time unwinding at the soft white clouds and blue sky that pierced a ceiling made of glass. Never mind the golden rays of sunlight that glittered off the aqua waters of the biggest lap pool I had ever seen.
We were divided into groups when Cassie came running in. “Sorry, I’m late.”
The woman checked her off the list on her clipboard and then handed each of us an envelope. It was a schedule for the next three hours. Mud masks. Foot reflexology. A sauna with hot stone treatments. And the cold pool which was also a salt pool. Hair, makeup, and then wardrobe.
Cassie and I glanced at each other. I suspected we were both thinking the same thing. High-end spa treatments and a Ball? Josie would have died. None of it was the same without her or her mouth.
16
The Victorian gown was a gorgeous, charcoal gray silk with six silver roses that tracked down the front of the dress. The laced corset was a sexy touch. And so were the ruffles that hung off my shoulders. The dress had to have cost a fortune given we were reminded over and over to not tear, rip, or spill anything on them because they were rentals.
I was just as scared to walk in it as I was driving the new car.
Cassie was stunning in an all-black lace gown that accented her slender but curvy figure. All of the girls were spectacular. However, everyone was in all black except me. I asked if there was a mistake with the dress but the seamstress said no.
Mrs. Ellington. This was her doing. And it wasn’t going over well with the other girls who were cutting their eyes at me.
“Ignore them. They're just jealous,” Cassie said. “And stay focused.”
Right. Focused.
The last treatment to Mrs. Ellington’s madness was the powdered wigs we had to wear. A head full of white ringlets rolled down my neck and over my shoulder. By the time the stylist was done, we all looked like the portraits of the women that hung on the walls in Mrs. Ellington’s parlor room. The ones with the women who were cherished by angels and fae.
Jake, I thought, again. More than anything, I missed him and wanted him back. Wanted us back. It was weird, barely knowing him, and still, somehow having known him a thousand times. That is if what the Blood Book had shown me was true. One tragic life after the other. It was worse than a Shakespeare play.
A man dressed in a white wig and a Victorian styled footman’s outfit opened the double doors and announced it was time. I froze as I thought of Mrs. Ellington’s words to stay close to her side and play chess or something like that. But why did chess feel like being thrown in a lion’s den?
Cassie squeezed my hand. “You’ve got this.”
I nodded. Everyone was counting on me. Cassie, Josie, Mason, Boyd, Alexei, and Jake. No pressure.
The gentleman escorted us down to the main ballroom as classical musical echoed through the hallways. Two men dressed in themed white wigs and butler costumes opened the doors. It was like stepping into another time. A dream. One that had Josie’s name all over it. She really would have died.
Everyone sparkled under the dazzling light that glittered from crystal chandeliers as big as the room itself. All the women were dressed in black themed gowns of various styles while the men were in black tuxedo coats spilling over with lots of black ruffles.
Life-size white vases overflowed like fountains that had been filled with exotic black, silver, and white flowers. Poppies, I think. Whatever they were, the floral scent was sweet and heady—pure ecstasy that eased the tension in my hands, neck, and shoulders. I took a deep breath, enamored by the fairytale that unraveled before me. Women elegantly twirled at the hands of gentleman that bowed. Everyone was in unison, almost as though they were moving and dancing as one mind. Not to mention, everyone was smil
ing from ear to ear like they were slightly high.
My nerves were finally settling down when someone slipped their arm into mine.
“Allow me to introduce you to Miss Maverick.” Mrs. Ellington was irkingly captivating, as usual. Black was her color, the way it accented every curve of her slender body. She knew how to wear it. In many ways, control it. “Miss Maverick, this is Lord Byron, Lord Allerton, Lord Francis, Lord Howland, Lord Prowless, and Lord Winter.”
It was a lot of lords. An uneasiness tingled up my spine. I could only assume calling them lords was a Council thing given everyone else in The Society had either been called brother or sister so-and-so. Everyone, except Mrs. Ellington who hated the term, Sister Ellington.
“Pleased to meet your acquaintance,” I said, trying to sound like I belonged.
They skeptically glanced me over from head to toe. I wasn’t sure if I had done something wrong. Like maybe I was supposed to have bowed or curtsied or something. And why was The High Council made up of only old stuffy troll-looking men?
I was practically glued to Mrs. Ellington’s side. Imagine that, my worst enemy. A ball of nerves, I subtly leaned over to her and gritted through my teeth. “Where are the women?”
Mrs. Ellington did the same. “My thought exactly.” She broke the examination by clapping her hands. “Attention everyone. Thank you all for coming. For centuries we have hidden in the dark. But a new day is dawning. One that will return magic to its rightful place. Allow me to introduce our newest member to The Secret Society of Souls. Miss Elizabeth Maverick.” She smiled. “Also known as Lizzy.”
Mrs. Ellington was dangerously whimsical. Powerful. She had a confidence that captured and enchanted the entire room. I was nothing like her. And as awful as it sounded, in that moment, I wished I could be.
Self-consciousness burned through my skin as everyone smiled and clapped. Everyone except The High Council.
“Allow me to also introduce Mr. Kai Mitchell to the club. Psychic and medium extraordinaire.”
I almost choked. What. The Hell. Just happened?
Kai’s cheeks warmed as red as mine, but what was he doing here? A member of The Society? How could he? Especially after what Mrs. Ellington had done to him. I stood there stunned and rooted to the floor.
