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I made her more tea after I helped her inside and put it on the coffee table in front of her. “I’m going to head off now, but if you need anything, please, just let me know.”

She grabbed my hand. “You’ll come to the funeral, won’t you?”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer it to just be friends and family?”

“I know you didn’t know her, but I don’t really have anyone else…and I-I…” Her face dropped, devastation filling her eyes.

“Of course, I’ll be there.” And now I felt even more of a hypocrite.

She quickly wrote the details on a piece of paper and handed it to me. I shoved it in my pocket, made sure she was all set, and got the hell out of there before I caved and told her everything.

* * *

When I walked into our house later that afternoon, I didn’t have time to dwell on the hurricane of emotions inside me, because I was swept up in the tornado that was my family.

Iris grabbed my hand, dragged me upstairs, and tossed me into the bathroom, going as far as turning on the shower before she left. “Make it quick,” she called through the door.

Still feeling seriously unsettled after my day with Rebecca, I had to force myself to focus on something else. I couldn’t go into that ballroom unprepared or off my game. Mom was right, the place was going to be full of sharks looking for easy prey, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to swing my ass out for them to take a bite.

By the time I walked out, I’d made good progress at hardening my heart again, back to the way I preferred it these days. I was in my room and had covered the bruise around my neck with foundation so my family couldn’t see it, when Mom burst in carrying a garment bag.

“Jesus, Mom, would it hurt you to knock?” I’d had enough people seeing me naked for a good long while. At least I’d put on underwear first, and thankfully, there were only faint red marks where I’d been scratched. If I stood with my legs together, no one should be able to see them. Thank the goddess for dim lighting.

She rolled her eyes and shrugged. “I’ve seen you naked a million times. Oh, and Rowena called earlier, she wanted to wish you luck for tonight.”

Rowena was the head of our coven and Mom’s second cousin. She’d been great since I was named Keeper, checking in, but not breathing down my neck, when I’m sure she wanted to. You know, since the entire future of our coven either strengthening our magic or losing everything was down to me.

Stop it. Don’t think about that, not tonight.

Hustling to the closet, Mom hung the hanger from the top of the door and dragged down the bag’s zipper. Emerald silk tumbled out.

“Where did that come from?”

Mom carefully slid the bag off and ran her hand down the liquid-smooth fabric. “It was Mom’s. She looked amazing in green, like you, Wills. You got that gorgeous, wild auburn hair from your gran,” she said, telling me something I already knew and loved.

I ran my hand over the fabric as well. It was exquisite. I’d loved color once, bright, fun clothes. I’d worn my hair wild, and always had lots of jewelry. After what happened at the knights’ compound, being so close to losing my life, of almost causing the death of people I considered family, I hadn’t felt like wearing bright colors anymore. A lot of things had changed for me that day. “Where did Gran wear this?”

“Her engagement party. My father’s family had thrown them a lavish ball and everyone who was anyone attended.” Mom sighed. “They’d been so in love. I’ll have to show you the photos one day.”

And then the Thornheart bad luck had kicked in and my grandfather had been run over by a garbage truck when Mom was just five years old. Gran had never remarried. “I’d love to see them…so what’s the back of the dress like?” The last people I wanted seeing my scars were the witches in that ballroom.

“The back’s not low,” she said gently.

She didn’t like being reminded of what happened to me a year ago. I tried to avoid ever bringing it up.

“Think of this dress as armor, Wills, when you’re in that ballroom tonight. Your gran hated that part of her life growing up, and I know you don’t want to do this, but you have just as much right to be there as the rest of them.”

I was standing up for my entire coven, and the last thing I wanted was to let them down. “Wearing this, it’ll be like Gran’s right there with me.”

Mags burst through the door. “Why aren’t you dressed? I need time to do your hair. All those uppity socialites will be going to top stylists, I need time to work my magic.”

“We won’t be long.” Mom quickly helped me into the gown, and since the front dipped low, I had to forgo a bra. It was seriously risqué, and totally something I imagined Gran would have worn. Daisy Thornheart had most definitely not been a wallflower.

Mom handed me a pair of gold sandals from my closet. It felt like a million years ago now that I’d bought these. I’d worn them once. The heel was thin and delicate and added a good three inches to my height.

“I’ll make you something to eat while Magnolia does your hair,” Mom said and bustled out of the room.

“Thanks.” I did up the shoes, and Mags had me by the wrist, towing me down the stairs before I’d properly straightened. I winced.