Page 205 of Gathered Sparkle

And this time, it’s not a command to fall into a trance but a blessing.

I let the world fade away, safe in the knowledge that whatever happens tomorrow, we’ve found a home for us.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Novalee

Neon lights cut through the night as the Strip pulses with life.

Multi-colored lights ripple across the towering windows of the Harrington Heights, the Belmont Plaza, and the Lane Building, all three glowing façades standing like sentinels of the city I’ve called home for the last six years. The streets are cast in an eerie kaleidoscope of color and shadow as the crowd grows thicker with every passing minute.

I stand in the shadow of our van with Ace, balancing as best I can on rollerblades. The murmur of the gathering crowd rolls through the air like the low hum of an engine, vibrating in my chest.

Inside the van, Sylus is at work spreading the word on social media, making sure everyone in Vegas knows that the show is about to happen. They’re in for quite a night when it does.

Sylus is ready with everything he needs to orchestrate it all. The lights, illusions, massive screens, and camera-equipped drones are all prepared to create and broadcast an unmissable show.

Ace and I are dressed to blend seamlessly into the shadows. I’m wearing black leggings that hug my legs and a matchinglong-sleeve top that clings to my skin. Even my hair is braided tightly, thanks to Annabelle, who is somewhere in the crowd tonight, and a black mask that will come into play later is perched on top of my head.

I adjust the small black backpack over my shoulder, working through a catalog of its contents to help calm my nerves.Shoes, hotel key cards, tools from Sylus, a pair of black gloves, a flashlight.

My eyes flick to the ground in front of us, where there are two buckets filled to the brim with neatly stacked decks of cards.

I rock nervously on my wheels as I run out of things to check over. The simple, static act of waiting seems at odds with the bubbling energy of the crowd ahead, but I know I can’t let my restlessness break the rhythm of tonight.

It’s all about timing, and so far, our timing is perfect.

Ace shifts beside me, and I clock the agitated flick of his fingers. It seems we’re matching on every level tonight. A faint sheen of sweat shows along his jawline, and he looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here. The press of the crowd, the noise, and the energy around us are all wrong for him.

I continue rocking back and forth on my wheels, wishing there were some way to ease Ace’s tension. “You okay?” I murmur, keeping my voice low.

“Of course, he’s okay.” Sylus’s voice crackles in my earpiece before Ace can answer for himself. We’re all equipped with them now—well,almostall of us. Nicholas isn’t wearing his yet, as we couldn’t risk Veronica noticing anything unusual. “He was born for this day,” Sylus continues. “It’s his plan, Sparkle. He can do it.”

I reach for Ace’s hand, hoping he sees it for what it is, that I believe Sylus’s words. He accepts it, and after a few moments, the tension seems to physically bleed out of him. His fingers relax, and I take the opportunity to intertwine our fingers.

“Anyone see Ezra or Nico?” I ask, casting my gaze over the crowd.

It’s Koen who speaks next. “I saw Ez earlier. They’re both somewhere beside the Plaza, so make sure to keep an eye on cops when you get over there.”

“Got it,” I reply, filing the information away for later.

“Nico’s guiding Veronica to the front,” Koen continues, dry and amused. “Such a good boy.”

“Oh, shut up,” I mutter, even as I welcome the surge of amusement that pushes against my nerves. I turn my attention to Ace, and he smirks at me, confirming we’re still in sync. “Do you think the people are ready for this?”

Levi’s chuckle fills the earpiece. “Ready or not, they’re about to get it.”

“Damn right,” Sylus chimes in almost too excitedly, even for him, and I have to wonder if the others catch that nervous edge to his reply. “Let’s get this party started.”

The comms go quiet, and my pulse kicks up in response, each second stretching too long like the world itself is holding its breath.

Then, the crowd stirs as if everyone feels it, too, even if they don’t knowwhy.

“As you wish,” Levi responds ominously.

And then…

… chaos.

---