Page 113 of For Dear Life

“You told me you decided to wear jeans.”

“I lied.” I pull up the edge of the long skirts to reveal my Docs. “But not about these.”

“And… purple.” She blinks. “You look so prett—”

“Stop.” I hold up a hand.

I couldn’t find an exact replica from the photograph despite an inordinate amount of wasted time on internet shopping sites, but the obscenely tight dress strongly resembles the color and cut. I’ve less curves than the girl in the photograph, but what I do have is now in plain sight, as the silken material clings to the skin it actually covers, the dress slashed open along a thigh.

“And you’re wearing a tiara.” The exuberance I’d expected from Holly isn’t in the room, merely a quiet shock. “That’s... unusual. A family heirloom?”

“Somebody’s, I suppose.” I straighten the silver against my lacquered locks, then glance over. “What?”

“Somebody’s? Did you steal that?”

“No. Not really.”

She purses her lips. Nobody I’ve shown the tiara to recognizes it, although so far few have seen the item apart from Dorian and some other closely trusted supes. I’d asked Dorian if I could borrow the item for Rowan to try a stronger psychometry spell when his witches failed, then ‘forgot’ to return it to him for evidence. At least he’s partly inclined to agree that we shouldn’t reveal everything we know yet.

And this tiara knows secrets.

Rowan’s psychometry didn’t reveal any strong images, only the girl placing the tiara on her head, but the magic barrier surrounding the headpiece has a minor crack that reveals the item hidden in a different box before the tin. This might be connected to the academy or somebody within it—the girl definitely was.

Somewhere, there’s a link between the tiara and whatever’s happening around me that I haven’t solved yet.

Thus, I decided to replicate the girl’s look for the Spring Ball and watch for any unusual reactions from students or staff. After all, the tiara’s hardly forgettable with the jagged spikes ending in amethyst giving the thing more the look of a crown.

I’d hoped by wearing the tiara, I might somehow link to the magic that Rowan couldn’t, but there’s nothing but the dull energy I sensed the first time I took it from the box. Is there a spell on the item to stop the tiara revealing its secrets?

“I like your dress,” I say to Holly when she continues to consider the legitimacy of my tiara ownership.

She splutters. “Of course, you do.” Holly’s chosen a shorter cocktail dress, the vibrant blue a contrast to her auburn hair that’s pinned in a style similar to mine. Amongst the blue, clouds swirl and a beaded rainbow creates a hem that touches her knees. She threaded sapphire blue jewels through her hair that shine as brightly as her now excited aura.

“Yes. I do. It’s very… you.” I look around for the small purse I’m forced to use since I’m pocketless. “A distinct lack of pigs, though.”

“Ha ha. Who are you going to the ball with? Grayson or Rowan?” she asks.

“Leif.”

Her brow creases. “But he isn’t at the academy. Leif went home after the police freed him.”

“I told Leif he has to come, therefore he will.” But he hasn’t contacted me—I haven’t heard from Leif for days. “And if he doesn’t…” I shrug. As long as someone recognizes and reacts to the tiara, I’ll enjoy my night.

“…you have other guys?” she finishes.

“I’m not prepared to meet the societal requirement to choose one person to attend with. Rowan, Grayson, and I will wait for Leif.”

Holly bites the edge of her lip and nods at my chest. “They’ll find you very distracting.”

I frown and place my fingers against where the silver pendant disguising the blade touches the top of my breasts. If I had chosen the outfit myself, I’d pick more coverage, but from my research, the dress’s revealing nature isn’t unusual for a formal gown.

“Seriously, you look incredible, Violet.” She gestures the length of me.

A sharp rap at the door startles us and I continue to study the strange creature I am in the mirror as Holly answers the door. Judging by Holly’s higher-pitched voice, this is Chase and not Rowan or Grayson. Or Leif.

Chase’s response to me is my first hint that I’m about to become a bigger spectacle than the day I walked into the academy. His eyes bug out. “Violet?”

“I’m in disguise,” I say and meet those too keen eyes. “Shush.”

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