For some reason, seeing him dressed up settles my nerves a fair bit. I spread my arms and execute a slow turn. "Does this qualify as 'interesting'?"
His mauve-gray gaze sweeps over me, and approval flickers across his severe features.
"I went theatrical." My black velvet corset is embroidered with constellations, and when I move, the silver and gold stars shimmer and catch the light. The skirt is layers of midnight blue tulle, shorter in front to show off black boots with silver buckles, longer in back where it trails like a comet's tail.
I braided silver ribbons through my blue hair and painted my lips navy blue. And with the vibrant colors of the peacock feather wrap, I think it works. "I went for celestial witch with an attitude."
"It will do nicely." Vale dips his chin and offers his hand. "M'lady."
"You kids have fun." Asher waves from the porch and blows me a kiss as I hurry down the front steps.
Vale opens the passenger door for me with a slight bow, and I slide into the leather interior. The car smells like old books and something crisp—cedar, maybe.
After rounding the vehicle, his driver opens his door and Vale settles in beside me, setting his ridiculous hat in his lap as we pull away from the house.
"I trust you've worked yourself into a mental frenzy and have a million questions and concerns buzzing around in that head of yours?" His voice carries that precise, measured quality I'm getting used to.
"You know me so well." I watch as trees blur past the window. "Do you know anything more about why they want to see me?"
"Actually, I do, but I've been sworn to secrecy."
I blink at him. "But you're going to tell me anyway, right?"
"It would be inappropriate. The Order prefers to maintain certain protocols, and as your legal counsel, I have given my word not to disclose their intentions prematurely."
"But you work for me, don't you?"
"In the strictest sense, yes, but everyone has higher-ups to answer to, and in this instance, loose lips sink ships."
We drive in silence for a few moments while I mull that one over. I fidget with the silver chains on my corset, trying not to nag him like I want to.
"Oh, I should tell you. Something big happened last night. Right after you left."
Vale turns on the seat to look at me. "Oh?"
"A ghost showed up. The ghost of Davina Draven, to be exact."
Vale's brow pinches as he takes that in. "Davina Draven disappeared more than a decade ago. Why would her ghost visit you now?"
"Because she only just died. And she wasn't nine. She was nineteen." I watch his profile. "She's been alive somewhere this whole time, at least until recently."
Vale processes this with the same careful consideration he applies to all things. "And she sought you out specifically? Why?"
"I think that was happenstance. She was a friend of Violet's and knew Mom was a spirit witch. I think she came to the house, wanting to tell us something."
"And did she?"
I sigh. "No, someone cast a powerful binding spell on her. She couldn't speak, but more so, she couldn't seem to formulate what she wanted to tell us. And the more she tried, the more chaotic things got."
"So, where is she now?"
"She was in terrible pain, so I helped her cross over."
"Merciful." Vale's tone softens marginally. "But not helpful."
"No, but here's the thing—when I crashed that secret meeting at Ashcroft Manor, I heard them mention Davina's name. They said something about 'what happened to Davina can't happen again.' It didn't mean anything to me at the time, but now I think it's all linked to Laurel and my sisters."
Vale goes very still. "If that's true, you're suggesting this conspiracy extends back more than a decade."
