As her hands completed the final sequence, locking the illusion into place, a bright flash erupted, blinding for a fraction of a second, followed by a sharppop!
Cassidy reacted on instinct. “Shite!” She threw herself sideways, grabbing Margo by the waist and hauling her away from the work table. They crashed into the large couch in a heap of limbs and Margo’s tangled skirts.
“What the hell, Ems?” Cassidy called from where she was sprawled on the cushions, arms still wrapped around a stunned Margo. “You said this wouldn’t be dangerous!”
A rich, low chuckle came from across the room. Ursula, entirely unbothered, still stood in the exact same spot, arms folded, amusement dancing in her dark purple eyes.
“Really, Cas?” Lara huffed, shaking out her fur. “I thought I trained you better.”
Groaning, Margo pushed herself up, brushing the hair from her face as she extricated herself from Cassidy’s grasp. “What just happened?” She looked around, checking for any actual damage. “Is everyone okay?”
Emmaline paid them no mind, humming softly as she fastened a chain to the gold diamond, lifting it to eye level with a satisfied tilt of her head.
“Emmaline just gave us a taste of her illusion magic.” Ursula extended a hand to haul Margo upright.
“What?!” Cassidy barked, scrambling to her feet. “Why?! You nearly scared the essence out of me!”
“Oops.” Emmaline pressed her lips together in an attempt at innocence. Then, her smile turned sleek and dangerous. “I just thought the moment deserved a little flair.” She let the charm swing lazily from the chain, watching the light catch on its surface. “After all, this is the first strike in tearing him down.”
Margo dipped her head with a smile on her lips. Cassidy downed her drink, and Lara let out a low, rumbling growl as Ursula’s voice dropped. “After which, we’ll tear him apart.”
Emmaline watched the charm shine between her fingers.
Caelith had crafted his illusions well. The world thought he was a prince. But she’d craft something better. Something he’d never see coming.
By Friday, he’d be the one begging for mercy.
Chapter twenty-four
Ursulamovedlikeaphantom, slipping through the gardens without a sound. Emmaline watched from the projected image on her speak-easy, heart pounding as her friend weaved through the hedges, sticking to the shadows as if she belonged there. Which, knowing Ursula, she did.
Emmaline’s charm was too delicate for unnecessary magic, so Ursula had to do this the hard way—on foot, no vanishing tricks. Any additional interference could risk corrupting the illusion they’d worked so hard to craft. Besides, it was safer this way. Even though Ursula’s magical traces usually dissolved with the first rays of sunlight like all blood magic, they weren’t about to risk leaving anything behind.
The screen in front of Emmaline wobbled in and out, adjusting to the bright midday lighting as Ursula moved toward the statue where Lady Allistair had died. The looming marble figure looked even more grotesque through the clear projection, its cold, blank eyes watching over the scene of its unintended kill.
“Careful… careful…” Emmaline whispered, barely realizing she was speaking aloud.
She leaned forward, nearly pressing her face into the projection. Margo had shelled out a lot of gold for these upgraded speakeasiesthat came with the human-designed video feature. Emma was initially skeptical about the cost, but watching Ursula sneak across the grounds in real time, it suddenly felt like the smartest purchase they’d ever made. Given the nature of what they were doing, it was safer for them to keep an eye on each other.
When did my life turn into missions and covert operations?The absurdity of the thought almost made her laugh, but the pressure in her chest wouldn’t allow it.
Ursula crouched beside the statue, scanning the area, the bushes rustling softly in the afternoon breeze.
“To your right,” Emmaline murmured. “About ten paces into the ghostthorn.”
It was the exact place she had cast her spell that night.
Ursula pivoted, stepping between the thorned branches with ease. “Here?” Her voice was barely audible, but Emmaline heard it clearly over the magical transmission.
“Yeah.” Emmaline’s heart hammered.
The charm dangled from Ursula’s elevated hand as she said the activating words. “A Terrible Lord wove this spell.”
The gold diamond pulsed once with a single beat of magic, then it faded.
“It worked.” Emmaline let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“Should I be concerned that you’re so relieved and I’m not a pile of skin on the pavement here?”
