Page 14 of Death Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

It was subtle, but it was there. A tightening around her eyes, a momentary stiffness in her shoulders. The kind of reaction that did not belong in a room full of political predators, because it revealed something real.

Lucinda smiled as if she had just been handed a crown. “Of course, Mina. You are an angel.”

Mina beamed. “I know.”

Faith made a low sound in her throat. Not quite a laugh, not quite a growl. She leaned closer to the wall, arms crossed tighter, as if she needed physical restraint to stop herself from speaking.

Mina turned back to Caton, then glanced at Eve, her smile dimming for half a second. There was guilt there, quick and fleeting.

Then she pushed it away and went practical.

“Okay,” she said, brisk now. “We say we were filming. A zombie movie. An indie student project. We post behind-the-scenes footage immediately. Makeup, props, fake blood. We show the cast laughing between takes. We apologize. We say we had no idea people would think it was real.”

Hunter’s brow furrowed. “And the injuries.”

Mina’s expression tightened. “We say the crowd panicked, and some people got hurt in the rush. We say we are working with authorities. We offer to pay medical bills.”

Faith’s eyes narrowed. “You can pay medical bills?”

Mina’s gaze flicked to her father, then back to Faith. “We can say we will. It is optics.”

Caton nodded once, approving.

I hated how competent Mina sounded. I hated even more that it would work.

Alex studied her, lavender eyes potent. “How quickly can you move?”

Mina pulled out her phone as if it were a weapon. “Immediately. I already have a group chat for the film club. I will pull in the empowered students too. They can help sell it. If enough witches say it was a project, the mundanes will argue with themselves until they are exhausted.”

Lucinda clasped her hands as if she might actually swoon. “Mina, you are perfect for this job.”

Mina’s grin returned. “I know.”

Eve’s breath left her in a controlled exhale. I could feel her trying to decide whether to be proud or furious. Mothers had complicated emotional math.

Mina started typing, thumbs flying, then looked up again. “We will film a quick clip here too. We do not show the chambers, obviously. But we can use a plain background, talk about the project, act flustered. I can do a live. People eat up live apologies.”

Carnell murmured, “Yes, the ritual humiliation of contrition. It is very popular.”

Faith shot him a look.

He smiled wider.

Mina’s gaze moved around the room again, and I saw the awe creeping back in. The chambers were still impressing her. The stakes had not fully landed. Or maybe they had, and she was choosing to treat it like a challenge so fear would not have room to grow.

Then she looked at Eve, and her voice softened just a fraction. “Mom, can you help me with the makeup story. Like, confirm we used your shop supplies. People know your place. It adds credibility.”

Eve’s throat bobbed. “Sure.”

Caton’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he did not like Eve being part of the plan. Like he wanted Mina’s success to belong to him and Lucinda.

Faith caught it. I saw it in the way her jaw set.

Eve leaned toward me, quick and quiet, and whispered in my ear, “I am not sure if I should throw up or be grateful Mina has an in with the wicked bitch.”

I pressed my lips together so hard it almost hurt.

Because the worst part was, Eve was right on both counts.