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My chin lifts, and I meet his eyes coolly. “Solve the murders. Someone from the Undead was murdered and dumped near our Estate. Another Druid a few days before that. If the pattern holds, we can expect a Rogue or a Sorcerer body to turn up next. The bodies are usually dumped on someone else’s territory like it’s trying to play us up against each other. By creating stability in our community that we so desperately need, you send a message that we can take care of our own. Once we’ve done this, business can continue as usual. We need solutions for our people and not another wedding. We’re being picked off one at a time, and people are scared. I’ve got Dominic looking into a spell for me that could help me narrow the suspects down. I’ve also got another lead to chase down with helping me solve this.”

Mom pipes up, “Eric, you know it's our tradition for the females to marry, like I did–” Dad silences Mom again. “I know, Edie, but it's also my duty to raise my heirs to be fierce, and since you didn’t give me sons, this is the only option I have.”

Ouch. If I wasn’t used to it by now that would hurt.

He looks contemplative but not convinced. “The wedding is not off the table yet. We will revisit at a later stage. But for now, we will do as you suggest.”

"Eric! You can't possiblyconsider–"

“Shut up Edie."

Mom stamps her foot in outrage and storms out as Dad delivers his decree, and I can’t help feeling a bit of satisfaction that I beat her today. Of course, Dad doesn’t let me feel it for long. “You’re not off the hook yet. Don’t forget, it's time for Brooklyn’s first assignment. You fought hard for it, so don’t let me down.”

Chapter 18 | Rich Bitch Vibes

Jude

Just like I predicted, this morning we got the call. Another body was found; a Rogue’s body turned up near the Hart Estate. Except, this time, the pattern is slightly different as the body has been hacked to pieces. While the Rogue’s do have that pesky little healing ability, it’s like each death gets crueler, and I just can’t understand what’s to gain here. Is it to pick us all off? Exterminate us? But who, if the humans don’t know about us? And while I think Alyssa Vance is Satan in disguise, she’s a proud Rogue, and the messiness of this feels beneath her.

Chicago goes by in a blur on the drive to Dom’s estate, and I try my best to keep my frustration in check. Thankfully, the limo partition is up, giving me privacy, and Mom and Dad went in their own limo. I just don’t get how everyone is so oblivious.

With the shitshow that is our lives, I can’t get over how badly timed this masquerade ball is. We’re being murdered, and the families want to throw a party? We should be throwing every available resource we have into solving these murders. Well, if there is one thing the Rhodes family excels at, it'spretending everything is okay when it's anything but. With the murders on the rise, the dumbest thing we could do is put everyone in the same room for the murderer, yet that’s exactly what we’re doing.

I even took Beau up on his advice and asked Sebastian for help. He connected me with his police contact Gabe, but Gabe had nothing for me. Before I left, he let slip that if he didn’t get a lead soon, his bosses would replace him as lead investigator. The public was demanding answers, and well, he had none. It’s baffling to me that the humans are taking this seriously, when we aren’t. Is it because we’re so used to being untouchable and generally indestructible?

I tried to convince Dad to call the ball off. I even tried to call in the favor he owed me. But it wasn’t enough. He insisted we wouldn’t look good if we backed out now, and we needed to“strengthen the community.”The only concession he gave me was for Brooklyn to stay home, and even if it's a small win, I’ll take it.

Another win? Brooklyn and I are finally getting on again, thanks to her first assignment going well, and it heals something in me, knowing I could give her the experience I was robbed of. Knowing her favorite animal form is a cheetah, I chose an assignment where she would get to shift into that option.

Walking towards the forest, which feels a bit out of place amongst the buildings of Chicago, I turn to Brooklyn as she asks, “What are we doing here?” Smiling, I tell her, “As you know, on our first assignment we need to showcase we can hold our own in a fight. In an ideal situation, you would never be alone, but it's important you can hold your own as if you were. So today, all you need to do is catch this suspect. Reports say he’s coming through here, but you have to do it in an animal form of your choosing.”

Nervous energy surrounds Brooklyn as she bounces on the balls of her feet and asks, “And then what do I do with him?” Holding out the zip ties, I tell her, “You keep the suspect subdued while I secure him. Then we go turn him in for the reward money. Druids always work together, but the point of today is to show me you can lead.”

Nodding, she asks me, “What do I do with the reward money?” Shrugging, I tell her, “Whatever you want. A portion of it always goes back to the family, but the rest is yours to keep. So you tell me.” Pursing her lips, she considers it. “I think we should donate to a charity in Lexie’s name.” Without giving a chance to answer, she shifts into a cheetah and paces while she waits for the suspect.

The hum of the motorway fades as we turn onto the cobblestone driveway of the Hart Estate. Flanked by wrought-iron gates, the driveway winds through hedges and trees, glowing ethereally with fairy lights, making it look like fireflies are lighting our way. There must be magic involved. Sparing a moment of awe at how incredible the place looks, I put on my black and blue lace mask.

When we get to the top of the driveway and stop at the house, an attendant dressed in uniform takes my hand to help me out of the limo while my driver goes to park. Despite my mother's protests to control my outfit selection tonight, I won this battle too and selected a gorgeous royal blue silk dress. The heart-shaped bodice with straps around my neck is flattering, and I did a half updo with curls framing my face to complete the look.

My attention is captivated by the man standing at the doorway, waiting for someone. When he spots me, I realize it's me he’s waiting for. He comes down the black carpet and holds out his hand to me. Sebastian and I wouldfind each other anywhere, masks included. Taking his hand, Sebastian leans over and kisses me as he says, “You look stunning.”

Leading me inside, he takes a glass of champagne from the attendant at the door and hands it to me before he takes one for himself and continues to lead inside. Attendants line the hallway with canapes, but I’m not interested in food. Not with so many eyes and ears on us, and the risk being here tonight poses.

Tilting my head back, I observe Sebastian from the corner of my eye, and he looks incredible with his black tux and hair gelled back. I can almost imagine we’re a normal couple on a date night. It’s what I would have wanted if things were different. If this Supernatural mess wasn’t our lives.

The earlier fight with my father plays on my mind, leaving me conflicted about what to tell him. We are like magnets. We always find our way back to each other, no matter what we put each other through. But if there was one thing my dear mother was right about, it’s that even if I wanted one, there is no future with Sebastian. Even with how he hurt me, I’ve realized I’d forgiven him a while ago. I just didn’t tell him that, and I should. He did the best he could at the time, and while I would have preferred it to play out differently, it’s done now.

I tried to forget him for those two years. Even with everything he said to me, I still loved him. But I had enough self respect to not run back to him. Eventually, I could create a life without him, but in the back of my mind, he was always there. Even if it feels like I’m about to lose him again. But did I really have him to begin with?

“What’s wrong?” His brows furrowed in concern, catching my expression. Looking into his beautiful ice-blue eyes, I’m reminded that this is notthe place to have this discussion, and I just murmur that we need to talk privately soon.

When we enter the ballroom, it takes my breath away. It’s like something out of a fairytale with gold decorations covering every surface. Mirrors reflect the crystal chandeliers casting rainbows over the floor. The guests are all dressed in their extravagant gowns and tailored suits with their faces obscured by masks similar to mine.

“There’s Dom and his sisters,” I murmur to Sebastian, and I try not to wave. In his black tux with a gold bow tie and matching mask, he looks like the head of the Sorcerer empire and not the kid I grew up with. I don’t know what to make of that. Making eye contact with Luca not far behind them, she mouths, “Later,” to me, and I dip my chin.

Moving inside, we all make polite conversation as we wait for the evening to begin. Never far from each other's side, both Sebastian and I network on behalf of our families. But I can’t help thinking of what Brooklyn said to me yesterday.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so angry at you, Jude, I needed you and everyone to hurt as much as I did by losing Lexie. Everyone keeps pretending like she’s only a memory, except I still remember her! I hate feeling like I’m alone in my grief and like everyone has moved on.”