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People came and went, some came and lingered long after the lights twinkled on in the trees, along the pergola, the deck.

She said goodbye to her grandparents, her aunt, her uncle.

When the last straggler drove away, Bree plopped down, kicked off her shoes. “Somebody get me a drink.”

“I’ve got you,” Owen said.

“And don’t be stingy on the pour! Manny lost the toss, so he’s DD and driving me home. Band’s breaking down, kitchen crew’s finishing cleanup.”

“I saw that myself,” Sonya put in. “And wow. They’re on top of it. Everyone’s been on top of it.”

“Biggest bash around here in God knows. They’re hoping you’ll do it again, and sign them up.”

“Done.” Cleo sat back with her own drink. “If you head the team.”

“I can do that. Thanks.” She took the glass from Owen, drank deep.“I worried we’d have some…” Bree sent a sidelong look toward the manor. “Incidents. But other than some of the crew’s phones playing when the band took a break, or somebody going to clear finding it already cleared—that kind of thing—nothing much. And nothing too spooky, I guess.”

Imogene sipped her drink. “It won’t hold for long, but for now.”

With interest, Bree studied her. “You’re pretty spooky, but in a cool way.”

“Best party I’ve ever been to,” Melly declared, “and I’ve been to plenty. I lost count of the number of jaws I saw drop when people got a load of this place, the spread, the sparkle. You girls did yourselves proud.”

“There was one thing.” Winter lifted her hands. “A man wearing a tux, sitting in a big leather chair, smoking a cigar. I passed by, and stopped. He said he’d missed parties at the manor, and was glad my daughter and her friend knew how to throw one. I said I’d bet it wouldn’t be the last time they did.

“Somebody passed by, asked me if I knew where to find the powder room. I told them, then turned back. And the man wasn’t there. I swear I could still smell the cigar smoke, just a hint of it, but he wasn’t there.”

“Okay, that’s seriously spooky.” Bree downed the rest of her drink. “And I’m heading out. No, sit, stay. I’ve got Manny. We’ll talk.”

Imogene leaned over to pat Winter’s hand. “He wanted you to know he appreciated the party. There were more who felt the same. Some watched from the windows. You saw them, Cleo. Sonya?”

“Yes.”

“A young girl in a maid’s uniform, so busy,” Imogene said, “helping where she could. Happy to. A little boy, such big eyes, watching the other children. The pretty thing from the portrait, Clover, with all that shining blond hair. So full of joy. And more. So many.”

Imogene sighed. “She watched, too. The dark one. So much rage. But the protection held, and held strengthened by all the joy, the energy, the life.

“But be ready. It won’t hold long. Now I’m going to put my old bones to bed. The energy won’t fade tonight, so sleep easy.” She rose. “You’ll need to.”

Sonya slept like a stone, gratefully. The morning brought more goodbyes, as Cleo’s family loaded up right after breakfast. Imogene drew her aside, gripped both of Sonya’s hands.

“I left you something on your big fancy desk. It’s an amethyst obelisk.”

“Thank you. I—”

“Now, I know you don’t set much store in such things.”

“More than I used to. Maybe.”

“Don’t matter a bit. The stone, the shape, it’ll help push out that dark energy and bring some calm into the place you work and create. You’ve got a big job to do,bébé, but you won’t be alone.

“It’s a good house, else I’d never leave my precious girl or you in it. But you’re going to fight for it.” She gave Sonya’s hands a last squeeze. “You fight for it.”

She stepped away, shook her head. “Let that girl go, Melly. I need my hug, too.”

“Just one more.” Melly squeezed Cleo tight. “Be as good as you can.”

“Sometimes I’ll be better. Y’all text when you stop for the night so I know where you are.” She embraced her grandmother in turn. “And travel safe.”