Page 25 of Seas the Reckoning

Her hair is also longer, sweeping in loose curls over her shoulder and devoid of blue streaks.

My eyes widen, but I don’t dare say anything.

“Carolina, there you are!” She lets go of her father’s arm and flounces over to me.

My mouth hinges open, but I cover it up by taking a sip of my champagne. The name I can understand. Her father used the same one. But her voice.

Her entire accent has changed, and she’s now sporting something that is almost transatlantic in nature. Not quite British, like Jackal’s, but a far cry from her usual Southern drawl.

And decidedly more posh.

“Dennis, charming to see you again this evening,” she greets the warlock who tried to kidnap her as he steps between Starla and me.

There’s only the faintest glint of a flash in her blue eyes.

“It’s all right, Dennis. We have an understanding,” the councilman calls.

Dennis steps to the side and then melts back into the crowd.

Starla plucks her own glass of champagne off a passing tray.

“If you enjoy this view, then you simply must let me show you the east garden with its unique floral offerings. Truly spectacular!”

Starla tugs my arm, and I begin to follow her down some stone steps that lead off the patio.

“Dinner will be served soon,” Councilman Taylor tells her, having closed in on us after greeting a few other guests in the crowd.

“We won’t be long. And this will be a good chance to brief my security on the layout of the estate’s exterior.”

The three of us exit the veranda, Exos tailing us at a respectful distance.

I don’t see Ji-hwan or Jackal, but when we make our way around the manor and reach the entrance to the opposite garden, they’re both waiting.

Jackal maintains his distance, but he smiles as we approach.

“Knew all our time avoiding the crowds at things like this would come in handy someday,” he tells Starla.

She rolls her eyes.

“While my father has not ever been hospitable enough to offer our dear hyena a tour of the manor’s interior, Jackal is vastly familiar with places perfect for avoiding events. The gardens, the kitchens, the library, and the woods surrounding the property.”

“Yes, and that meant I was able to tell you which ones were empty when you needed somewhere to go to escape whatever ludicrous demands your father had placed on you for the evening,” he counters.

She scowls, tugging on her new hair.

“My father has outdone himself this time.”

“The flowers out here are beautiful,” I say, making an attempt to lighten her mood.

She nods.

“The hedges here can feel like a bit of a maze, but if you follow the different varieties of flowers, you’ll know where you are. Of course, they wouldn’t all bloom in winter, but Father contracts with some talented witches to ensure they remain the same year-round.”

“With this being a winter ball, I’m surprised there’s not Christmas trees or more festive decor,” I observe.

Starla sighs.

“All part of the magic. You’ll see as the weekend goes along. When you’re rich, the whole garden can be in eternal summer. But they’ll celebrate in their own ways.”