“You never asked,” he said simply.
I squeezed Rose’s knee, confused by her reaction, until I saw fear flash behind the outrage.
Her father. He’d been murdered by an Illusionist.
Still staring at Horace, she asked, “After what Callum did to me, you didn’t think that was something I’d want to know?”
“Don’t compare me to him, girl,” Horace said, a warning in his voice. “There are bad seeds in every province. Just because we share the same magic doesn’t mean we’re anything alike.”
Rose’s jaw shifted as she swallowed, her eyes searching Horace as if looking for some hidden secret. Nobody spoke, the tension thick and heady, until Rissa strode out from the back of the shop.
“Are you ready to see the next one?” she asked.
“I need some air.” Rose abruptly stood and made her way to the front, the bell above the door chiming as she exited.
Rissa crossed her arms. “Leo, what did you do?”
“What makes you think I did something?”
“Just a guess.”
I ignored her and rose from the settee. “Let me go talk to her.”
Following Rose’s path, I left the shop and spotted her pacing in front of an alley adjacent to the building. I gathered her hands in mine and led her into the alleyway, away from wandering shoppers. Several rough bandages on the tips of her fingers scratched my skin.
“Talk to me, Rose,” I said gently.
She took a deep breath. “I can’t believe I didn’t know he was one ofthem,” she said, a bite to her tone. “How do we know he hasn’t been lying to us this whole time? He can hide anything.Beanything. Make us think one thing and do another.”
“I know you’ve had bad experiences with Illusionists,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and keeping my hand cupped at her neck. “But they’re not all the same. You know Horaceis a good man, Rose. His magic doesn’t change that. He would give his life for any one of us.”
She closed her eyes. “You’re right. I just wish I had known. With what Callum has done to me, and the men who killed my father…” When she opened her eyes, they flashed at me fiercely. “They’re still out there. Illusionists aredangerous.”
I squeezed her neck one more time and let go. “Their magic can be dangerous, but just because some have abused that power doesn’t mean they all have. Take Gayl, for example. One of the most dangerous Alchemists in the world, but you and I aren’t like him.” Rose shifted on her feet. “And Callum may use his magic to torment, but Horace uses it tohelp. You have to be able to see beyond the power and into the person. We’re more than our magic.”
She met my gaze. “Are we, though?”
A prickle crept down my spine. “What do?—”
“I need to go apologize to Horace, alright?” Placing her hand on my cheek, she softly ran her thumb across my skin. I nodded and kissed the inside of her palm before she took it away. We walked out of the alleyway and reentered the shop to find Lark and Rissa both in ball gowns. Lark wore a stunning black velvet dress that hugged her large curves, with gold beads dotting the waist and neckline. Her mask was solid gold with black lace and had what appeared to be antlers rising from the sides, beyond her mass of black curls.
“Is thatbone?” Rose asked with intrigue, stepping toward Lark. In answer, Lark gave a smirk and ran her gloved fingers along one of the ivory antlers. “That’s incredible. You have to get this one.”
“Rissa, why are you trying anything on? You know we can’t go to the ball,” I said, taking in her red gown and brown fur wrap. Chaz, my sister, and I were here solely for moral support.
Rissa smiled slyly and pulled a mask from behind her back, holding it up to her eyes. Chaz and Horace let out barks of laughter. Swirls of red, gold, and orange raced across the mask, extending down to the tip of a long nose and up to a pair of pointed ears.
“A bit on the nose there, sister,” I said, grinning at her fox mask.
She winked. “I couldn’t resist.”
As Rissa straightened out Lark’s dress, Rose approached Horace and sat across from him on the settee.
“I’m sorry, Horace,” she said. “I wasn’t trying to compare you to Callum. I was surprised and reacted poorly.”
He grunted in response, rubbing a hand over his beard. “Don’t be sorry. I should’ve said something before. That boy’s messed with your head enough. I guess I didn’t want you to be scared of me, too.”
Her lips quirked up at him. “I could never be scared of you.”
