I shrugged. “I guess you can never tell.”
“I can.” He took another drag of his cigar, his eyes ever on me. “I have a talent for studying people. It’s a very handy skill in my business.”
A creeping fear began to take hold of me. My hands became clammy, and I took to grasping them together. I began to turn toward the house. “I-I think I should get back to the house. My friend might be looking for me right now-”
“He isn’t.”
I froze, my eyes fixed on him. “What do you mean?”
A crooked smile curled onto his lips as he nodded at the house. “I can see it. Even from here, the ring allows me to see things that normal men can’t see.”
My heart pounded in my chest. “I-I see. That’s very useful.” I began to back away. “But I think I really should be going. I’ve had all the fresh air I need and-”
“But I haven’t heard you sing yet.”
I managed a very shaky smile. “I’m not sure I’m up to it right now. Perhaps another time.”
“But there may not be another time,” he insisted as he lifted his cigar. He had already consumed half the smoke, and a long stub of gray ash sat on the tip. “This may be our only chance. Like this cigar, our time is running out.”
“I-I don’t think my voice is up for the challenge anymore.”
“Nonsense,” he insisted as he smiled at me. “Just imagine I am your friend whom you’re so fond of. You would sing before him, wouldn’t you?”
“Y-yes. . .”
“Then please sing a song, any song. Long or short, I would be pleased to hear anything. Then I’ll gladly escort you back to the house.”
I took a long, shuddered breath. “Alright. Just a short song.” He inclined his head in approval.
I cleared my throat and opened my mouth. Tim’s song floated out, sweet and gentle in its melody. It reminded me of home. Tears sprang into my eyes, and my voice wavered. I could barely get through the first rendition of the chorus before I choked up. My voice was reduced to a whisper, and then nothing.
It was only then that I realized my facade had flickered and faded. My ceasing my sad song revived the magic.
I cupped half my face in one hand and sniffled. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can do anything else.”
“That’s quite all right,” he assured me as he dropped his cigar on the ground. The smoke was nearly gone. He stamped out the rest of it with his foot. “Let us return to the house.”
I followed him, an emotional wreck of myself. He skirted the porch partyers and slipped inside. The air was stifling compared to outside, but I was glad to be in the light again.
Crestmoor stopped us just shy of the entrance hall and turned to face me. With the bright chandelier at his back, his front was cast in shadow except for a few weak lanterns along the hall.
“I’ve had a very interesting evening, Miss Thorn,” he told me in a low, quiet voice. “I hope we have another one very soon.” He bowed low to me before he turned and disappeared into the crowded hall.
I hoped that ‘soon’ wouldn’t happen for quite some time. My hopes were soon to be dashed.
Chapter 27
“There you are.”
I jumped at the voice and whipped my head to the right. Marc, in his accountant form, emerged from the crowds. He hurried over to me and grasped my upper arms. His amusement faded as he studied my face. “What happened?”
My eyes flickered to the door. “I think I’m ready to go now.”
“My necklace! My necklace is gone!” A large woman swept into the foyer from the west wing, one hand clutching her empty neck and another waving wildly above her head. “Stolen! Someone stole it!”
“I’m ready to go, as well,” Marc replied as he grasped my hand and pulled me toward the door.
People popped out of the woodwork, crowding the entrance hall with their bodies and their questions. Whispered words flitted among them.
