He read my name and nodded in recognition. “Ah, you’re the witch. Your mother was Amelia Daniels, wasn’t she?”
“Yes. Did you know her?”
“No, I didn’t have the pleasure, but I remember stories as a child about how she cured the kingdom’s plague.”
My smile dimmed. Little known fact, and something that never made it into those stories: I started the plague. It was an accident and partly Vivian’s fault. She’d dared me to curse a boy who’d been teasing her for seeing ghosts. Unfortunately, the curse was contagious. Things devolved from there.
“My mother was an amazing healer. She saved many lives that day.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Derrick’s fingers flexed against my back. It almost felt like a caress.
“I didn’t realize your mother had passed. I’m sorry.”
I murmured, “You don’t know much about me, Detective.”
“I’m learning.”
His words set off a flutter in my stomach. Would he like what he learned about me? And why did it matter so much that he did?
We moved into Derrick’s office, and Prince Marcus tapped my card.
“Was this your idea, Detective? It’s brilliant. Consulting with a member of the supernatural profession is unorthodox but not unheard of. The sooner we close this case, the better. The kingdom’s in a panic, and the Lockwoods deserve justice. I know I’m devastated this happened, and on palace grounds, no less.”
“Is it true that you danced with Ella, Your Highness? Do you remember meeting her?” I asked.
Prince Marcus hesitated. “Yes, I do remember her. I danced with a lot of women that night, but there was something special about Ella. I wish there was a way I could have prevented what happened.”
I felt the same. It was strange looking back at the choices we made. Could we have changed anything? Impossible to know.
“Tessa—” Prince Marcus paused. “May I call you Tessa?”
“Please do.” I shot Derrick a look.
“I believe you might have skills we haven’t thought to use. We need to examine this case from every angle.”
Derrick shook his head. “It’s too dangerous, Your Highness. Miss Daniels doesn’t have any experience.”
The prince frowned. “There is an element of risk, but I’m sure if you watch over her, she’ll prove to be an asset.”
Hear that, Detective?An asset. If witches could fly, I’d be in the rafters.
“I’ll do my best to help in any way possible. It’s an honor to serve you and the kingdom in this manner.” I caught the remnants of a scowl on Derrick’s face before he cleared the emotion. “Don’t worry, Detective. I’ll mostly be an observer, you won’t know I’m there.”
“Impossible,” he mumbled.
I shrugged. He wasn’t wrong. I’d inserted myself into the case, and I planned on being a prominent fixture. After all, they’d need to know who to thank when we found the killer.
Prince Marcus clasped my hands. “Welcome aboard, Tessa. If there is anything you need, please let me know.”
The scowl returned in full force to Derrick’s lips. “Your Highness, I apologize for cutting this short, but I have witness interviews to conduct today.”
I cleared my throat loud enough to be heard across the room. Derrick clenched his jaw.
“Miss Daniels, I hope you can join me.”
