Page 100 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

By the time everyone is crammed on the dance floor, singing loudly toDancing Queenas a glitter ball flings light sparkles over everyone, Danny and I collapse at one of the tables where Sam and Harrison are sat.

“Hey, you got a present that had a note on it saying not to open it until today.” Chan heaves a rather heavy box down on the table in front of us.

“Who’s it from?” Danny asks.

“Someone called Olivia?” Chan says. “I guess it’s from that woman, the demon slayer? Unless you know someone else called Olivia.”

Reaching for the letter Chan passes me, I proceed to unfold it as Danny opens the box. He pulls out a strange-looking clay jug with a handle on either side of its long neck, and it appears to be sealed with wax. “There’s six of them in the box.”

“Those looks like… what do you call them? Clay amphorae.” I say with a confused frown.

“Clay what?”

“Amphorae,” I repeat. “The ancient Greeks used them to store wine.”

“What does the letter say?” Harrison asks.

I glance down at the letter and read aloud.

Dear Tristan, Congratulations to you and your husband, Danny. Dionysus gifted this wine to Theo and me for our wedding and years later, the town is still taking about that night. I hope your wedding is every bit as memorable. Olivia.

I stare at the amphorae. “Wine?”

“You don’t think she actually meanstheDionysus? The god of wine and pleasure?” Harrison frowns as Sam grins and grabs some glasses.

“Well, apparently she knows Hades,” Danny offers as he breaks one of the wax seals, giving a sniff. “It actually smells… good.”

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea.” I hold a glass as Danny pours the deep, red wine and it releases the most delicious scent I’ve ever encountered. “I mean, last time we all drank magically laced booze, we ended up stealing a tank.”

“Don’t forget the peacocks.” Sam holds his glass as Danny fills it. He also hands a full glass to both Harrison and Chan.

“Come on, Tris.” Sam laughs as we all lift our glasses in a toast. “What could possibly go wrong?”