Page 24
“You look nervous,” I say. “Want some dust?”
“Yeah.” He exhales and looks out the window. “It’s just... you remember the masquerade last week?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Silver Witches got into an argument with Rebecca.” Rebecca leads the Glass Coven, which explains Ezra’s mood immediately. “She told them to know their place, and they tried to hex her.”
I turn my head. “What?”
“It didn’t work, obviously, but the atmosphere got tense. Rebecca isn’t coming tonight.”
Midnight City has several witch covens, but Glass Coven has held the most influence for years. They’re fine, as far as witches go. Illusions, glamour, parties, messing with people’s emotions, a little manipulation here and there, nothing too bloody, nothing too old world. Silver Coven is different, they use classic magic like spells and hexes. They are versatile, ambitious, and apparently tired of being second. They can be very powerful when experienced, and it’s surprising they weren’t tempted to take over earlier.
“What do they want?” I ask.
“More space. More venues. Their own club. Something that draws in humans.”
“Why do they need a club for humans?”
Ezra’s mouth tightens. “Some people say the European Silver Witches who came recently are into that kind of thing.”
That doesn’t sound good. “I don’t think this city can handle more supernaturals feeding on humans.”
“Maybe. But have you seen how crowded Midnight City is getting? New people every day. New faces everywhere. I don’t like it.”
“You sound like an old lady yelling at teenagers in her neighborhood.”
“We’ll see how funny you find it when new stardust dealers move in.”
At least, I don’t have to worry about that yet.
“What about tonight?” I ask. “Why throw this party?”
“PR. They invited half the city and want to negotiate for a location.”
“Wolves run most clubs in Midnight City. They won’t give up space for free,” I say.
“That’s why tonight matters.”
Witches dancing with wolves. Nothing new.
When we arrive, the party is already alive. Elegant guests move through the palace in silk, velvet, diamonds, and expensive boredom. Silver Witches stand with their heads high, while the ballroom seems to float in pale enchanted smoke. Mirrors cover the walls, reflecting beautiful monsters. Silver branches twist around columns. Waiters glide through the crowd with champagne, and humans walk around, real-life blood sources. Everything looks like a Hollywood fantasy with twisted guests.
I don’t care about witch politics. Their fights are their problem. But I don’t like seeing Ezra worried, and I really don’t like humans getting caught up in this. I don’t want this city to be a graveyard for dead souls. God. Am I becoming sentimental?
A murmur moves through the room, and the vampires arrive.
Marcus isn’t among them, which feels intentional. Maybe he thinks smaller parties are beneath him. Maybe Julian’s disappearance makes him reluctant to show himself. Either way, Lex leads the group in his place, dressed from head to toe in Zegna.
He sees me immediately.
Of course he does.
Vampires move through a party like predators, but smooth ones are fluid and cold. Beautiful enough to make people forget what the teeth are for.
Ezra and I find the girls at a table near the side of the room. They already look like they’ve had a few glasses of champagne, which means the night has started properly.
“Finally,” Mia says, reaching for me. “Someone with good stuff.”
