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The word party buzzes in my head, and I stare down at the scribbles on the notepad. The map of Wolrath’s house. We need a way in.

We have a way in.

“I have an idea,” I say slowly.

Victor smiles at that, looking rather devilish and handsome in a way that makes my heart clench up. I can’t believe I’m about to suggest this, that I’m planning a murder just like my mom and my sister.

“We could do it at the party.”

Victor’s hand squeezes my hand. “Go on.”

I swallow. “Adrian and I had two invitations, remember? That’s how we were going to get in.”

“Surely the police have those now,” Victor says gently. “I don’t remember you getting them at the inn.”

I smack him hard on the arm. “Yeah, because I had them already, dumbass. Adrian gave them to me for safekeeping before he left.” I swallow, not wanting to think about how it was the last time I saw him before the arrest.

“Really?” Victor says.

I pull away from him, grab my purse, and extract my wallet. And there they are, right where I tucked them after Adrian handed them to me for safekeeping. I slap them down on the table.

“Holy shit,” Victor says. “Why didn’t you mention this before?”

“I didn’t think it mattered.”

Victor slides the tickets over, frowning as he reads the names. “Who are these people? Elizabeth and Frederick?”

“Adrian’s contact said they’re a couple that Wolrath always invites, but they never show up. She swiped the invites a few months ago. As long as we cover our faces, we should be able to get in.”

“Covering my face isn’t a problem,” Victor says with a sly, knowing grin, and my heart somersaults around as I think about that stupid and impossibly hot gas mask.

Still, I say, “Are you going to wear Adrian’s Phantom of the Opera mask?”

“Absolutely not.” Victor picks up both tickets, studying them like he’s looking for a flaw. “What costume did you bring? I assume it’s in your suitcase.”

“I brought a cocktail dress and a carnival mask,” I say. “It’ll only cover my eyes, though.”

Victor tsks softly, brushing my hair back away from my shoulder. “That won’t hide your identity at all, my love.”

There it is again. My heart clenches. So do my thighs.

“Neither of us was particularly concerned about hiding our identities all night,” I say. “We just needed to get past the bouncer.”

“Makes sense.” Victor frowns thoughtfully. “I’m not sure. There are so many witnesses at a party. Might be better to sneak in beforehand.”

“Yeah, but all those people will muddy the crime scene,” I counter. “There will be footprints and hair and DNA all over the place, and it’ll take them forever to sort through it all.”

“If they even catch your DNA at all.” Victor hooks my chin with his finger. “You have Hunter blood in those pretty little veins, remember?”

“I’m not risking it,” I say. “There’s a costume shop in town. I can get something better there. Gloves and a wig, too.”

“No, I’ll take care of it,” Victor says. “You need to stay out of sight for the time being.” He looks down at the tickets again. “But I do think I like this. Going in at the party. Not having to break in or evade the cops.”

I breathe out, suddenly feeling drained from the adrenaline spike. I scoot my chair closer and slump against his chest, and he draws his arms around my shoulders immediately, drawing me into him. For a moment, all I can do is listen to his heart thumping in his chest, slow and steady. Mine’s racing. I’m sure he feels that, too.

It’s not fear, though. I can’t lie to myself anymore.

It’s excitement.