Page 52 of In Dangerous Water

To anyone moving past or who might overhear our conversation, we sounded normal, and like any other mundanes chatting as we prepped for the ball. But in truth, it was a cover for the fact that I had met with Gabriella, Drusilla, Camilla and Estella hours before. Amanda, Arianna and Angela had all been present as well. We had gathered around the table in Gabriella’s family kitchen on the eastern side of the mansion.

There I had brought them up to speed on Kenna’s status, what we knew about the stalker, and I also informed them that I planned to bring them out in the open. I had half been braced for a lecture about ethics, or perhaps some disapproval. Yet when I informed them that I had already cast a few hours before—to bring the stalker to justice—they all seemed to be in agreement.

Angela was especially on board as it was her husband, Ryder, who’d been injured; and now her best friend who was laying in the hospital.

In fact, after we talked, it was Amanda who had suggested that the eight of us raise energy together, to focus on our goal. It made me smile to stand hand-in-hand and to work magick with them all again. We weren’t battling an angry ghost this time, but instead a corporeal adversary.

Bottom line? The Daughters of Midnight and the Witches on the Hill were combining their efforts once more.

***

Night had fallen, and the third annual Marquette Mansion Halloween Masquerade Ball was going to begin in less than an hour. Standing in my bathroom in the carriage house, I straightened the shell crown over my moussed hair.

My pale blonde hair was wild and tousled but stiff with product. I’d clipped in a few long, blonde and blue-green false braids and dreads; it added to the overall volume and made my hair look much thicker than it was.

To complete theSea Sirenlook, I had ordered the custom headpiece online. Black iridescent scallop shells and long spiral screw shells fanned out across it, creating a tall, gothic, spiky crown. Tiny silver sequins and faux pearls were scattered across it and added to the sparkle.

For my makeup, I had gone with a very pale foundation. I stretched a piece of fishnet stocking over my entire face, and then patted a shimmering turquoise eye shadow underneath my cheekbones, on my temples, and around the perimeter of my hairline with a foundation brush. After lifting the fishnet off, I was pleased to see that it had created the illusion of scales.

“Let’s hear it for internet makeup tutorials,” I said to my reflection. To add to the look, I brushed a bit more of the iridescent turquoise color under my jawline and across my collarbones. I finished my makeup off with teal and black eye shadow, heavy black liner and mascara, and a deep mauve lip.

Stepping back, I considered the makeup and dipped back into the eye shadow palate to add white sparkly highlight on the end of my nose, brow bones, and at the top of my cupid’s bow. Satisfied that the makeup made the aqua blue of my eyes pop, I put away my cosmetics, tightened the belt on my robe, and headed for the bedroom to get dressed.

Tim was currently waiting in the living room, and I could hear that he was having a conversation with Charlie from the hotel’s security. Our strategy had expanded and included not only Tim, Austin and Charlie, but now Zak Parker—a fellow deputy from Tim’s department—and Sheriff Randall from the Ames Crossing Sheriff’s Department. It was the shared opinion of theAlton police, and the sheriff’s department in Ames Crossing, that my stalker had more than likely been watching the hospital the night before, noting the comings and goings of the family and was aware of where I would be this evening.

Slipping my cocktail dress from the garment bag, I stepped into it, pulling it up and tugging the spaghetti straps over my shoulders.

My dress was a satiny teal with a black floral lace overlay and a waist cinched with a wide built-in corset in black. The hem was a high-low style that stopped right above my knees in the front and fell to my calves at the back. I managed to get it mostly zipped, and then stepped into a pair of tall black suede boots with a practical low heel. Needing a hand to close the dress, I made my way into the living room.

Tim stood at the window that overlooked the grounds, his back to me as he finished up his call. He wore a white dress shirt and a black suit that fit him perfectly and accented his broad shoulders and narrow waist. “Roger that,” he said into the phone. “We’ll be heading over in a few minutes. See you then.” He ended his call and slipped his cell into his pocket.

“Can you zip my dress the rest of the way up?” I asked him.

Tim turned around and his jaw dropped. “I changed my mind. We’re not going to the masquerade.”

“What?” I asked, taken off guard.

He stalked forward. “Let’s go to the bedroom.” He began to herd me back and down the hall, his hands reaching for my hair.

I laughed and batted his hands away. “Don’t you dare muss me up! I’ll never get my hair or this makeup right again.”

“I won’t muss you up,” he said. “I’ll be gentle.”

I shivered happily, hearing how his voice had gone deeper. “Listen Deputy,afterwe get through tonight you can toss meover your shoulder, drag me off somewhere, and ravish me good and proper.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said, and the gleam in his eyes told me he was absolutely serious.

“For now,” I said, turning around, “zip me the rest of the way up.”

He dropped a kiss to my bare shoulder while he did. “Remember what we talked about in regards to the security plan for tonight?”

“I do,” I said and turned around to look him in the eye. “I’m not going to take any unnecessary chances. I want this to be over. I want my life back and a future with you.”

He smiled down at me. “I do too.”

Reaching up I straightened his teal tie. “Well then let’s get this party started.”

***

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