He offered me a slight bow. “If you wish.”
“So why won’t other revealing spells—antidotes—work on this one?”
“This spell has a few steps I’ve never considered adding. Given no one else knows about it, the mage’s people won’t be able to create an antidote or spying serum capable of seeing through it.”
“Only two people know about it?”
“Yes. And I am very good at keeping secrets. Let’s begin.”
Twenty-Nine
“Miss, it’s time.”
I turned in the mirror in the bathroom, looking at my dress’s deep, plunging back, ending in a V above my waist.
“Okay,” I called to Mr. Tom.
Turning back, I smoothed the front down my stomach, the neckline cutting across the base of my throat, ending in a design of white lace flower petals at my shoulders that flowed down the side of my body to the floor, revealing a thin slice of skin. The skirt, fitted at the waist, pooled when it reached the floor, the back creating a train.
Mr. Tom had picked it out, and it was as elegant as it was beautiful. He’d insisted I go without jewelry. Not even earrings. I had no idea why, but given he was two for two on dresses, I’d decided to just go with it. He did seem to know his fashion, something he didn’t apply to himself, because when I found him waiting by my bedroom door, he had on the same tux he always wore, freshly pressed with tails down the back, a little too formal for the dinner we were going to and a lot too formal for being my butler.
“Miss, you look lovely, I must say. That dress is absolutely divine.”
I lightly ran my hands over my hips, feeling the soft, intricate lace. “Thank you. It’s gorgeous.”
“You are gorgeous. The dress is just fabric.”
I felt Austin walking up to the porch, his steps unhurried. He’d be escorting me tonight, and Sebastian seemed to think that made a very loud statement. When I pressed him about it, he’d said, “You have shifters on your side. I think it’s wise that you are using them.”
Mr. Tom followed me downstairs, where the rest of my crew awaited us, each dressed to the nines. Cyra, the phoenix, who’d finally regained the ability to assume a human form, stood at the front in a deep red satin dress flowing over a slightly pudgy body that caught the fabric in some of her belly folds. She was clearly not interested in Spanx. I was glad for it. She was a badass who’d nearly taken Austin down. I was glad she wasn’t forcing herself to be uncomfortable in order to fit a certain body mold. I’d always hated Spanx.
I was also glad she held no ill feelings toward Austin or me for being killed. She was like a shifter after a challenge—the more dominant creature was decided. That was that.
Hollace stood behind her, his white suit offsetting his dark skin. He’d paired the suit with a white shirt and cream tie, and looked swank and fantastic. I smiled at him and received a nod. Niamh leaned against the wall behind him, holding a can of beer. She wore a long-sleeved, glittery black dress, her white hair lightly tufted and gelled into place. I was impressed she’d actually tried. Nathanial stood in a plain black suit and tie, the shirt and jacket elegantly tailored to fit around his wings, his hands at his sides and his “cape” draping down his back. His wide shoulders and robust body carried off the look. Ulric waited behind him, his fuchsia suit and blue tie matching his two-tone hair. The only muted parts of the look were his black shirt and shiny black shoes.
“Wow,” I said. “The eighties called; they want their suit back.”
“He looks like a clown show. Kingsley will get a fright,” Mr. Tom drawled. “Why doesn’t Ulric carry a doll around with him, too? Maybe a puppet. They’ll think he’s your jester.”
“I’m in if you are.” Ulric laughed.
Jasper’s look was similar to Nathanial’s, but he’d gone with a cream tie and a matching pocket square. Edgar skulked last, his suit, shirt, and tie all black. Someone had clearly helped him, because the clothes were expertly made and fitted. If he weren’t hunching, he’d look almost normal.
“Okay. Just need one more.”
The door opened as if on cue. Austin waited there with one hand tucked into his trouser pocket and the other down at his side with a glittering silver watch on his wrist, accented with diamonds. He had on a black suit with a white shirt, accented with a ruby-red bow tie and matching pocket square. It fit him perfectly, and he had the ease and confidence of a lord, full of swagger and zero concern. He looked like the owner of this world, just renting it out to those who’d come to visit.