The crease between his eyes deepened. “We already have those. They’re not helping.”
“Okay. Then why me?”
He looked directly into my eyes and the sincerity there was unmistakable. “Because you’re exceptionally powerful, and I need the help of another strong elemental mage. Your magic would work well with mine in a fight.”
Technically, rain could put out my fire, but his wind could also fuel it. He was right though; I was powerful—more powerful than he knew, that was certain. But the Hurstons had all the money and connections in the world. I couldn’t understand how one more mage like me, a rogue mage at that, could be of any help. Surely they had strong fire mage friends. “What do you need my help with?”
He sat on one of the chairs in front of the countertop and looked down for a minute before answering. When he did, his voice was soft, “My sister, Sarah, was abducted last week. My family is doing everything in their power to get her back, but we’re not getting far, and we have very few clues. She was out with two friends. Her friends are now dead. Their bodies were recovered in the same place where her phone last logged her location. Her body wasn’t left with the others, so we believe she’s still alive. The only clue we have about the person who took her is that there were three streaks of glittering teal that almost looked like claw marks across both of her friends’ chests.” I managed to hold back my gasp, but it was several seconds before I remembered to breathe again. He’d just described the same marks as the ones that had been found in my house and on my parents the night they were murdered. I’d been looking for someone with information about what had happened to them for years. Now Charming was looking for the same person who had killed my family and he was asking for my help to find them. This was the closest I’d ever been to being able to reveal who, or what, had taken my parents from me.
“So you were in the tunnels trying to get information when I saw you the other night?”
“Yes.”
“From Grog?” I asked, a note of doubt in my tone.
“Grog is known for having information if you pay the right price.”
That was true, but the price usually came in a very unpleasant and deadly form. “He would have drained you dry before he ever gave you the information you wanted.”
“I was willing to take that risk to get my sister home safe.”
It was a stupid idea. His parents would have ended up with two dead kids that way. “That was risky, and wouldn’t have played out well for you.”
He met my eyes, cold and hard. “I had it under control, and I would have stopped him before anything serious happened to me.”
“You would have tried,” I said, my tone implying that he would have been very unsuccessful in the attempt.
“He’d already told me some information before you arrived.”
That piqued my interest. “Like what?”
Charming shifted and grabbed a cookie off the counter. “That the person I’m looking for will be at the Mystic Ball this weekend. I need to find them. And I need a date who can help me do that.” He looked up at me, his eyes darkening, “Preferably one who burns hot.”
I raised my brows at that, certain he was referencing my magic, not the fact that he thought I was attractive. I didn’t keep up with magic circle gossip, but from the little I had heard, Charming was a known player who dated incredibly beautiful women. He wasn’t interested in me for anything other than help finding his sister. And I was considering using him for help finding the person who killed my parents. I needed to keep reminding myself of that.
The Mystic Ball was an expensive and ornate party held by magic’s most elite every year. Charming would have never missed it because the Hurston family was one of the most highly respected magic families in the world. I’d heard about the ball, but I’d definitely never been invited. I didn’t even know where it was held. Now Charming was asking me to go with him? I really hoped I wouldn’t have to dance. “What makes you believe Grog’s information?”
He took another bite of cookie. “Because Grog traffics in information. Plus, I paid him well for it and threatened him if he gave me incorrect intel.” Of course he did. Because threats were second nature to someone with the power, money, and magic lineage Charming had. “My family is employing an investigation team, and I’m helping to facilitate their queries by getting as much additional information as possible. The information we have so far points to the fact that this involves someone, or maybe several people, in the magic community. We can’t go to any of our family friends and mages we know for help. We can’t trust them.”
I almost snorted a laugh. “But you think you can trust me? You don’t even know me.”
He looked at me, pulling his bottom lip back with his teeth. I reminded myself not to stare. “Yes. I think I can. You haven’t been part of the mage culture. You’ve grown your magic outside of it, not getting influenced by the politics. I don’t know your story, but I imagine there’s a reason for why you are where you are, and why you feel the need to help others, whether it be taking out a sweatshop, helping a stranger who seems like they’re about to be killed by Grog, or simply finding other magic users in need of a home and shelter. You use your magic for good, and there’s no one better than my sister. She needs help and I can’t go to anyone else. Will you help me?” Charming asked. His eyes were soft and his voice sincere. It would be easy to fall for someone like that. Luckily, he wasn’t always this endearing.
I furrowed my brow and looked at him closely, trying to ascertain the best course of action. Partnering with him would mean putting myself out there and risking my own life. More people would find out about my magic, and I didn’t have the protections Charming did. I’d spent my whole life trying to stop that from happening, and keep people from finding out about my powers. And it wasn’t just me I had to think about. I had no way to keep all of my friends safe from the Magic Harnessers. I didn’t want them to become targets as well. But Charming had every resource on the planet available to him. There was a chance he could keep us all safe.
Previously, I had wondered who would win if we squared off. Now I wondered what would happen if we used our magic to work together. Could we really do it without killing each other? I wasn’t sure. But this was also a huge opportunity for me. It was the closest I’d ever been to finding out who had murdered my parents. Charming had information and could get me into places I couldn’t get to alone.
“My home, and my friends and I would all need protection from the Magic Harnessers.”
“Done,” he said immediately. “I can take care of that.”
“What about after this is all over? How can I guarantee we’ll have the security we need going forward once people know about my magic?”
“I’ll have a security team put on you just like my family has. You won’t have to worry.”
“Indefinitely?”
He nodded.
Being rich and powerful sure made things easier. I wondered what that life would be like.
“What about the security team that was assigned to your sister?”
“She wasn’t considered high risk and only had one guard. We’ve changed protocol now. Your team will keep you and your friends safe.”
So the security obstacle was out of the way; I tried to consider if there were any others. I could only see one; it involved his sparkling blue eyes, alluring smirk, and the thick muscles that encased his frame—and that wasn’t a problem I was ever going to tell him about. I’d just have to deal with the attraction on my own. This was my very best chance for being able to find the people who had killed my parents, and I wasn’t going to pass it up because I was distracted by the circumference of his arms.
“Give me my shoe back, and we have a deal.”
His lips slid into a slow smile. “Done,” he said. “I’ll send you a dress.”
I shook my head. “I can get my own.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve been dressing myself for twenty-five years,
I think I can manage.”
He opened his mouth to say something undoubtedly snarky, and then closed it. Wise choice.
“Then I’ll see you on Saturday.” He handed me my shoe.
I took it, and hoped I’d made the right choice. If I hadn’t, everyone I loved and everything I’d built could be at risk.
Chapter 3
A box addressed to me showed up on the doorstep the next afternoon. I took it inside and opened it. Another silver box with a pretty pale blue bow wrapped around it sat inside. I untied the bow and then gently lifted the top off of the box and gasped. A dazzling new pair of shoes. They were see-through with a three inch heel, pointed toe, and they glittered with blue and silver speckles sprinkled over the entire shoe. They almost looked like glass sparkling in the sunlight. I took them out of the box and slipped them on my feet, trying them out. They felt like I was walking on a cloud and they were a perfect fit. I stood in front of the full length mirror in the hall, putting my foot out and admiring the gorgeous slippers. A smile curved my lips. They had to be from Charming. He was the only one who knew I was going to the ball. At least he’d done something useful with my shoe and figured out my shoe size. I wrinkled my nose at the memory of the shoe theft and considered not taking the gift, but decided it was a peace offering. At least, that’s how I was justifying it so I could keep the magnificent heels. Shoes were kind of my weakness. I loved them, and rarely had the money to buy a pretty pair, or the opportunity to wear them. I had one now.
“Holy crap!” Sway said, as she walked into the room with Lauren and Lexi. “Those shoes are amazing! Where did you get them?”
“I think Charming sent them,” I said, turning to examine them from a different angle. I couldn’t stop staring at my new glittery gift, and already loved them more than cake—which was a lot.
“Why?” Lauren asked, leaning against the wall. She hadn’t been at home when Charming had arrived, but everyone in the house had heard about his Haven invasion.
“For the Mystic Ball.”
All three sets of their eyes went as wide as saucers. “You’re going to the ball?” Sway asked.
I nodded, and slipped the shoes off, placing them back in the box gently.
Three identical squeals came out of their mouths! “Oh my gosh! What are you going to wear?” Lauren asked.
“It has to be something exquisite!” Lexi said.
“Oh, it will be. Just leave that to me,” Sway promised. Sway’s magic gave her the incredible ability to weave illusions. They didn’t last forever, but she was a master of clothing design, and she could conjure a heart-stoppingly beautiful gown out of thin air.
“You would do that for me?” I asked. I was more than grateful because despite my assurances to Charming, I really didn’t have the time or the money to find a gown that would work for such a formal occasion. Charming had offered to send me one, but I hated relying on other people, and who knew what kind of dress he would have procured.
“Don’t be silly,” Sway said, waving me off like I would be crazy to think she wouldn’t do it. “Of course I will. I would love to! You’re going to be the most beautiful girl at the ball. You’ll stop people in their tracks!”
My stomach clenched at the thought. I’d spent so many years trying not to be noticed that the thought of the magic masses seeing me, and someone possibly recognizing me, gave me serious anxiety. The worry started to spread and I immediately tamped it down with the thought of my parents. This was my opportunity. I might be able to avenge them soon, and if so, then this would all be worth it. And I had Charming’s security crew to help keep us safe. Plus, it wasn’t like I was helpless—as long as I wasn’t up against a mage who could counter my powers.
Sway picked up one of my pretty, sparkling slippers and studied it. “Yes,” she said, tilting her head and looking it over, “I can definitely make something that goes beautifully with these. You have to give him credit, he knows how to pick shoes.”
I had to agree with her on that. I loved them.
Sway put her fingers to her lips, a small smile playing over them. I’ll be back later. I have a dress to design.
I watched her walk away, a slight thrill going through me. I’d never been to a ball. I’d never even really been on a date. My whole life had been a series of firefights, trying to make sure I could survive, and trying to help others survive while I attempted to find the murderer of my parents. Getting dressed up and going out, even if there was an agenda behind it, made me excited and giddy. For the first time in years, I felt like I might be running toward something instead of away from it.
“Stop fiddling with the lace,” Sway admonished as she brushed my hand away from the intricate scallops framing my sweetheart neckline.
We were in the car on our way to the address Charming had texted me earlier in the day. He’d sent a fancy SUV with a driver who was part of his security team to pick us up. When my friends in Haven had heard about the plan to help Charming find his sister, and possibly help me find the person who killed my parents, they’d all wanted to come along. I’d managed to keep the guest list to Sway and Perry. Bringing an entire platoon with me would draw unnecessary attention, not to mention that showing up at the Mystic Ball was basically a declaration of your magic power. At eighteen and nineteen respectively, Sway and Perry were the oldest of my friends, and had control over their powers. They were adults, and could make their own choices. I knew they could defend themselves and, to be honest, I felt more confident having them by my side. Sway was wearing an emerald dress that highlighted her curves and brought out her fiery hair. Perry had on a black tuxedo that managed to somehow make him seem less intimidating. He was six-foot-six so that was hard to do. I imagined Sway’s magic had helped make that illusion happen.
I looked down at the fabric encasing my figure and still couldn’t believe I was wearing it. My dress was incredible! I’d never felt so beautiful, or so self-conscious. It was form-fitting in a way I didn’t think dresses could even be. I felt like I’d been sewn into it from my chest to my hips. I was worried that if I bent wrong, I’d break the seams. The gown flared out from my hips into billowy yards of satin and lace. The train trailed behind me like waves on the ocean.
“I’ve never worn anything like this before,” I said, uncomfortably.
“Which is ridiculous because you were made for this dress!” Sway said, rolling her eyes. “You’re drop dead gorgeous!”
I wrinkled my nose as I looked down at the pretty, dark blue lace overlaying a shimmering pale blue gown. The sleeves hung off my shoulders and the neckline showed a hint of my chest, emphasizing a brilliant square sapphire dangling from my neck. My earrings matched the necklace, and the colors all combined to bring out the blue of my eyes. My dark hair was curled and swept to the side so it hung over my right shoulder, and my makeup was a masterpiece of grey and pink shades, and incredible contouring. I’d barely recognized myself when I’d turned around and looked in the mirror an hour ago.
“I feel beautiful,” I said, and didn’t like the taste in my mouth that came with the admission. “It makes me uneasy,” I admitted.
Sway gave me a look. “Good! You should feel beautiful because you are!”
I shook my head. “You’re just good at illusion, and you’re being nice.”
Sway rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might roll out of their sockets, and swung her head to Perry. “Am I just being nice, Perry?”
Perry looked at me appreciatively. “She’s definitely not being nice. Charming’s going to lose it.”
Sway giggled. “He totally is.”
This time I rolled me eyes, fidgeting my hands in my lap. “He won’t even notice.” Did I want him to notice? I kind of did. But what did that mean? Okay, so I was attracted to the guy. I was adult enough to be honest with myself and admit it. He was an attractive guy. And what girl wouldn’t want to be wanted? I was sure that was all it was. I wanted someone to look at me with desire and it wouldn’t matter if it was Char
ming or some stranger on the dance floor. I felt better after my little internal assessment.
Perry snorted. “Oh, he’ll notice. Everyone will notice. You’d have to be blind not to.”
That reminder made me worried all over again. I knew coming tonight meant that I was putting myself out there and I, and my magic, wouldn’t be a secret anymore. The people I’d run away from years ago would be able to find me again. I was older now and more capable, but it still left a knot in my stomach. I had Charming’s word that he’d keep me, my friends, and Haven protected. I had no reason not to trust that. But I’d been hiding for so long that it was hard to just flip a switch and be okay with my magic going public.
We pulled up to the hotel the Mystic Ball was being held in. The building was a masterpiece of Victorian architecture. As we walked inside the lobby, a chandelier bigger than my entire bedroom hung from the ceiling. Every piece of furniture was antique, and probably cost a small fortune. The walls were wrapped in flocked wallpaper and the place practically dripped money. I took a deep breath, feeling totally out of my element. I needed to get over that because we had a job to do.
We walked into the hallway leading to the ballroom and were stopped at the door by a woman in a black formal dress. “Name, please?”
“We’re guests of Storm Hurston,” I answered.
She gave me an appraising look. I must have passed her test because she looked down at her list. “Ah, yes. He’s listed with a plus three. Can I have your names for the announcement?”
“Announcement?” I asked, confused.
“Yes, we announce everyone when they walk into the ball.”
I froze, unsure about what to say. Sway and Perry both gave her their names and started through the door before looking back at me. I’d known going into this that people might realize who I was, but I hadn’t planned on using my magic, or even my name. The goal was to get in, get the information we needed, and get out. But now it was more than that. If I gave my real name, everyone would know. I’d been in hiding ever since I’d run away to save my life. I wasn’t sure if revealing my name was a good idea. My parents were dead, but there were others who still might be looking for me. At some point, the rumors would spread and the news would get back to people that I was still alive. I wasn’t ready to let them know my real name, so I used the name I’d taken after I’d gone into hiding. “Hadley Scott.” Hadley was my mom’s middle name, and Scott was my dad’s middle name. I couldn’t keep using the name they’d given me, but this made me feel like I still had a piece of them as part of me.
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