“We were going to Locke’s party and wanted to see if you’d like to come,” Mia offered. Talon, as usual, looked like someone had just insulted his mother. But I was learning that was just his normal expression.
“Oh, thanks,” I said, “but I’m watching the kids. I just put them to bed.”
“They’ll be fine,” Mia said with a wave of her hand. “You’ll just be across the hall. It isn’t like you’re abandoning them.”
I hadn’t quite considered this. It was true that Henry and May were old enough to be alone for a few hours, and after the busy day we’d had, I felt confident they’d be out all night without a peep. Besides, I was only going to be in the neighboring apartment. I could pop back in and check on them every fifteen minutes or so.
The elevator dinged, and a Black fae couple dressed in gorgeous golden clothes got off and strode to Locke’s door. As they went inside, I got a glimpse of the interior of his apartment: shimmering lights and some strange, alluring music that was part rock and part ancient Celtic. Something smelleddivine.
My stomach rumbled. “Are you sure it’s…safe?” I asked.
Mia laughed. “Fae do tend to get rowdy at parties, but I’ve never stayed at one late enough to see the real debauchery. Just don’t wander off into any back rooms and you’ll be fine.”
Mia was human, like me, and she didn’t seem apprehensive or scandalized, which made me feel more confident. I glanced down at my pajama bottoms and ratty T-shirt.
“Go ahead, change,” Mia said. “We’ll wait.”
Iwasa little curious about this famous party Locke had told me about. Besides, going with Mia felt a lot safer. Strength in (human) numbers. So I relented and ran to my room, tearing through my closet. I found a wrap dress that was sinfully short with long billowy sleeves and a boho print and threw it on with sandals. I freshened up my makeup as quickly as I could, dashing on eyeshadow and bold lipstick.
I threw open the apartment door, trying to feel confident, only to feel something furry slip by my leg. “Puck! Wait, come back!”
The Dalmatian puppy squeezed through the open door and ran straight across the lobby into Locke’s apartment while it was open for another fae couple.
Mia laughed. “Don’t worry! He’ll be the guest of honor. Everyone’s been curious about this dog of yours.”
I groaned. Wilde Tower was my home but also my place of employment. It was terribly unprofessional to let a dog run loose. I was going to have to catch him and put him back, preferably before Severn heard of his escape.
Mia linked her arm in mine as we crossed the lobby. Talon began to tell me about his work with the animal shelters—apparently, he and Mia had met when he’d been enchanted into a dog by a witch and Mia had rescued him, giving him a permanent sympathy for strays—but as soon as we stepped into Locke’s apartment, I froze.
The floor plan was the mirror version of my own, but the decor was so dark and sleek and wildly different from mine that I felt almost dizzy. The apartment was packed with fae, werewolves, and a few human-looking women that I suspected were witches. I felt like I’d stepped into one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the city. Locke’s kitchen had been turned into a sort of bar; the counters were laden with platters of cheese and fruit and meats, bottles of wine and mead on every surface. As gorgeous as the fae were, they smelled even better. Every person I passed gave off the heady scent of jasmine and neruli, honey and salt.
As soon as we entered, eyes turned our way. Mia seemed used to the fae’s attention, but she’d been living in the tower for six months.Iwasn’t used to their curious eyes on me.
Locke appeared at my side with a bottle in hand. “The humans are here! How marvelous. Try not to get eaten. I make no promises about my guests’ tastes.”
I suddenly wondered if I’d made a mistake in coming. “I’d, um, better find Puck.” I ducked out from under Locke’s arm and started searching under chairs and tables, calling the dog’s name.
A fae woman with dark red hair stopped in front of me. “It’s Severn’s little bride!” she exclaimed in a mocking tone. I stood abruptly, instantly mortified. The fae gave me her most delightfully cruel laugh. “Look, everyone,Mrs. Wilde is here,” she added.
I felt the press of other fae moving closer amid the chatter and clinking glasses, looking me over. Whispers spread throughout the room.
“Yeah, very funny,” I said, trying to back away. Now I felt certain that it had been a mistake to come. I needed to find Puck and get back to my own apartment.
A young-looking fae wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Don’t pay them any attention, dear. They’re just jealous. Theywishthey could be photographed kissing the regent. And that kiss—are yousurethe wedding was fake?”
They all burst out laughing.
Two matching figures slinked through the crowd, their flowing black hair moving almost like snakes around their beautiful faces. Briar was dressed in a black mesh dress so sexy it looked more like lingerie, and Bramble wore a short, strapless red dress with a slit that ran nearly to her waist.
Bramble purred, “Don’t taunt her, Elk. Poor thing. Probably believed she could win his heart with a kiss. You know how humans are. So naive.”
It stung, but I was getting used to cutting fae remarks, and I was able to show no reaction.
Briar added, “As if Severn would ever stoop toactuallykiss her. I can’t believe the human realm buys it. Look at him and look at her.”
My hands curled into fists at my sides to stop from shaking. I glanced over their shoulder at Locke, across the room, who was watching in amusement. He probably loved seeing me tortured. “It was a misunderstanding, clearly,” I said to the twins.
“Clearly,” they echoed in unison.
