Page 74 of Mardi Gras Murders & Midnight Masquerades
"A light Fae," I confirmed, following his gaze to Councilor Cyran. He was a burly man and at the moment, looked like he'd bathed in fairy dust. "Feel free to introduce yourself. Just be aware that every supernatural’s survival instinct demands secrecy from mundies. They don’t trust easily.”
Payne looked briefly like he was reconsidering his choice to attend before his cop face slid back into place. "Right. Keep the secret at all costs. Got it."
The ballroom filled up faster than a French Quarter bar during Mardi Gras. Though, this crowd was way more interesting. Mundies in their designer outfits chatted away, completely oblivious to the fact that the woman complimenting their shoes could turn into a wolf. Or that the bartender mixing their martini was three hundred years old. Supernaturals moved among them like sharks through a school of oblivious fish. Not that any of our guests were about toattack.
"Vampire royalty at six o'clock," Noah murmured in my ear. His breath was warm against my skin.
I turned to see an unfamiliar woman in burgundy velvet gliding toward us with that unmistakable vampire grace. The platinum hair made me think of the previous leader, but she was unconscious. "Wait, that's not Alexis," I whispered, tensing. "Who the hell is that?"
"That's Lydia St. Claire, Alexis's younger sister," Noah said quickly. "I just got word from Kaveh that whatever passes for a vampire council held an emergency session an hour ago. Apparently, Lydia raced to her sister the moment she felt the power shift."
"An hour ago? Are you kidding me? We just pulled Delacroix out of Alexisthreehours ago!" I gaped at my mate.
"Vampires don't waste time when there's a power vacuum," Noah replied with a shrug. “Fastest leadership transition in their history."
The woman approached with calculated poise. Her dress probably cost more than our monthly mortgage. Her face was a perfect mask—literally and figuratively. "Danielle. Dahlia," she greeted my sister and me with that formal vampire stick-up-the-ass tone. "Your hospitality honors our community."
"We're pleased you could join us," I replied, keeping my smile firmly in place while screaming internally. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe we've met."
"Lydia St. Claire," she said with a slight bow. "I'm afraid my sister is... indisposed. I have been appointed interim leader until the situation resolves."
Interim leader, my ass. I'd been around supernatural politics long enough to know a power grab when I saw one. "That was... quick," Lia said, not bothering to hide her surprise. "Is Alexis recovering somewhere safe?" I had to hide my smirk at my sister’s dig.
"She is receiving care," Lydia said. Her concern looked rehearsed. "The possession left significant spiritual damage."
"I imagine it would," I replied, wondering if we should be worried about this lightning-fast regime change. "And where exactly is she now?"
"Under Marie Laveau's supervision," Lydia said smoothly. "She has expertise in such matters."
Speaking of the devil—or rather, the voodoo queen who probably had the devil on speed dial—Marie made her own entrance moments later. Every head turned as she swept in wearing deep purple that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Her mask was adorned with real hummingbird feathers, which I was pretty sure violated some wildlife protection act.
"The party seems to be proceeding smoothly," Marie observed as she joined our little circle. "No disasters yet?"
"Don't jinx it," I warned with a smile. "The night is young, and apparently full of surprises." I shot a meaningful glance at Lydia.
Marie's lips quirked in amusement. "Indeed, it is," she acknowledged with that ancient knowing look. "And speaking of youth, I believe that young woman is looking for you."
I turned to see Evelyn approaching. She looked nothing like the terrified, traumatized girl we'd rescued from the Society's clutches the day before. She stood taller, and her eyes were clear and sharp. Her silver dress was simple but elegant against her dark hair.
"Dani, Lia," she greeted us with genuine warmth. "I was hoping to find you and your sisters together."
"Let me gather the troops," I offered before I thumbed out a quick text. “Come to the entrance. Evelyn wants to talk to us.”
“They’ll be right here,” Liaassured Evelyn.
In under a minute, the other four sisters joined us. Noah, bless him, faded back without being asked. He understood witch business when he saw it.
"I wanted to thank you all," Evelyn said. "Not just for saving my life, but for showing me what true witchcraft can be."
"How's your training going?" Phi asked with her nurturing-teacher voice. I hadn’t known she was undergoing any special training.
"Kaitlyn says I have potential," Evelyn replied with a shy smile that actually reached her eyes. "I'm going to learn to control my resonance abilities instead of letting them control me."
"That's the first and most important step," Dre told her, going full mentor mode. "The first thing Kaitlyn taught us is that magic responds to intention and discipline."
"She told me the same thing," Evelyn laughed. The sound was natural and unforced. "I hope someday I might be able to help others the way you helped me."
"You already are," Dea said in that gentle way of hers. "Your testimony helped identify several Society members who were coerced rather than willing participants."
