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This felt different.

There would be almost nowhere in the building I could disappear to where I wouldn’t see the crowd listening to the call, reacting to it.

More so than that, though, was what came afterward.

Because I couldn’t put off my confession—not another night longer.

Would I probably hold out until after our little date? Yes. But I absolutely had to come clean as soon as we were back at the hotel.

Let the chips fall as they may.

Deal with whatever fallout there might be.

With each passing moment, my stomach twisted into tighter and tighter knots until I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to untangle them again.

Then there she was.

The con assistant I’d talked to when I’d arrived was standing at Silas’s table, likely telling him it was time to move to the stage.

My heart sank.

A fist of dread lodged in my throat.

I could see it in Silas’s face that he sensed something off with me.

But there was no time for his questions—not right then. I was sure he’d have a ton of them for me later.

Alone, I started boxing the merch back up since I had no one to watch the table when I disappeared.

I thought I was being really conspicuous until I realized everyone else was doing the same.

No one was missing the big show.

I followed the crowd, curiosity getting the better of me. Besides, I had a few minutes before I had to call in.

They were lucky I was calling in at all.

When I got the phone call from Mr. Lane after the last conversation I had as Madison with Silas, he’d been full of promises and potential. I could come to L.A. and reveal myself. I could be famous! Rich! I could get that book deal for the romance novel I’d mentioned!

He’d been insistent.

I’d been firm.

I was not going to be at the con.

But I would call in for the show.

So I was kind of curious how the convention team set the whole thing up if they didn’t have me on stage like they wanted.

I was delighted to find a vintage radio station set on the stage. It actually reminded me a lot of Silas’s studio at KPRN.

But on the other half of the stage was a giant TV screen.

I stood at the corner of the crowd as a local warlock influencer moved on stage to a riot of cheers and whistles.

He did a few little tricks just for the cameras before announcing Silas.

I had to give him credit; Silas put on a smile and waved, even though I could see the tightness around his eyes, the way his posture went even more stiff.