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Candles floated in the air above us, casting a dusty rose-gold glow on the party below.

The full moon illuminated the space further, filtering through the domed stained-glass ceiling.

Gauzy curtains, tied back with thorny roses, draped over tall windows, running the length of the walls.

Tables held elaborate centerpieces with perfectly pruned bonsai trees, rare orchids, and vases full of the glowing yellow flowers I’d seen on my first day here.

Every type of food imaginable was laid out in gluttonous quantities: Roasted meats, vegetables cut into intricate shapes, bowls of ripe berries and cream, loaves of bread and wedges of countless types of cheese.

All elements were represented in the decor.

There were rocky waterfalls, torches of fire, and a sweet-smelling breeze that blew through the entire party, keeping temperatures pleasant.

Ice sculptures of faeries entwined in provocative poses were scattered throughout.

Shadows darkened corners of the room for anyone seeking privacy.

How I wished I could go hide in one of those corners.

Most faeries were trickling onto the dance floor.

Some gyrated together, as if they were having sex with their clothes on, while others danced in free-spirited glee, kicking their legs up and spinning in circles.

Some had already coupled up, passionately kissing against pillars.

They were uninhibited in a way I couldn’t imagine Aurelians ever being.

As we passed one of the refreshment tables, I noticed a three-tiered chocolate fountain cascading into foaming waves.

I reeled back when I realized it was blood .

Human blood. I shouldn’t have been shocked after what I’d seen and experienced the last few months, but the brazen self-indulgence, the mockery of human life… it made my veins turn cold.

My skin crawled with a deep loathing for the gluttonous celebration that surrounded us, while so many others suffered.

The disgust kept my panic at bay as we made our way to the dance floor.

The Elders were gone. We looked at each other and moved back-to-back as we scanned the crowd, circling slowly .

I spotted Kaya against a wall, subtly nodding her head at us. “This way, Raf!” I pulled him towards her.

“The Elders left several minutes ago, through the main doors. Leon is trailing them. Sylvia is still at her throne, but something isn’t right. We need to leave,” Kaya said under her breath. Louis and the others should be close to their destination now… if they hadn’t been caught.

I looked up just in time to see Galen blazing a trail towards us. I turned to the Queen, who was sitting up straight in her seat, tracking him. “How did you escape?” he asked with ire. I ducked behind Raf as my back prickled with pain.

“One more step and you’re dust ,” Rafael said, flashing his teeth.

They both had their shields up; shadow and flame hovered between them.

I stood beside Rafael and lifted my hands, readying an ice dagger for Galen’s heart if he struck.

The music stopped as people began to notice us.

Isla hung back, glaring. I did feel bad for ruining her party.

She was the reason I wasn’t in chains right now.

Galen dropped his hands to his sides when the Elders strode back into the room. “Let them have you,” he said, cursing us as he stepped back and they approached. It was time for us to go. Leon was anxiously bee-lining towards us, pushing through throngs of flustered faeries.

Radley greeted us first, flanked by the five other advisors.

A burgundy cloud, the color of rotten wine, followed them.

Theirs souls still appeared to be fused together unnaturally.

“What a marvelous entrance you two made. Thank you for delivering her to us, Rafael. As the clock strikes midnight, a new day will be upon us. It’s time for you to come into our custody, Marigold.

The Queen has given us permission to take you. ”

Rafael stood protectively in front of me. “If you want her, you’ll have to go through me,” he said with a face made of stone.

“Move aside. We just want the girl. We won’t kill her, we just need to make sure she stays close until her shifting form is found.”

Galen hadn’t told them. He wanted my power for himself.

Raf took my hand and went to shadow us out, but his magic balked. There was something blocking our exit. He turned to me with wide eyes. Kaya and Leon were now standing at our sides, hissing at the Elders.

“What did you do?” Rafael snarled.

Arnold smirked maliciously. “Our wards can now keep people in , as well as out. An invisible cage, if you will. Your magic is outranked, Prince . It’s no match against the book of Erebus .

” Raf’s eyes flashed with surprise. “That’s right, the book has been with us all this time.

Now that we finally have an infinite supply of magic, it yields to us.

Together, the six of us command the most powerful spells in existence—as one.

Your shadows won’t be making a quick exit tonight. Now… give us the girl.”

Rafael, Leon, Kaya, and I wordlessly threw up our shields, creating a protective cocoon as we figured out our next move.

Leon whispered, “I’m sorry… by the time I saw what they were doing, it was too late. I came as fast as I could. What’s the call, boss?”