Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Lyra tightened the string to the point of pain across Kierse’s temples, but she held back any complaints. This was the only way inside the building during Monster Con. The security for the conference was too tight.
“Better,” Lyra said, adjusting a string on Kierse’s sumptuous, rose-gold gown. “You fit right in.”
It was the first night of the con, and all three theater companies were here for the charity benefit to raise money for the arts. And, unbeknownst to them, make it easier for Kierse to sneak in unnoticed. Which was key. She was hiding in plain sight.
The previous night, she and Graves had dined with Kingston on Isolde’s delicious cooking. Kingston had left for the museum in the morning to restore his magic—persuasion was his main power, but he had portaling as a secondary magic, and it took almost all his reserves to travel the Atlantic. Graves hated the ability. Kierse coveted it. But it was convenient in this case to have Kingston out of the way while they got everything in place for the heist.
She needed to keep her head in the game. This wasn’t like last year when she and Graves had singlehandedly broken through King Louis’s defenses. This was an entire operation by a talented team. Every person had their own part. She was in position, and now she just had to wait.
A voice crackled to life on their shared channel. Isolde said, “Cake delivered.”
Kierse resisted the urge to tap the earpiece in her ear as Walter fired back, “Acknowledged. Laz, you’re up.”
She could practically see the multi-tiered cake that Isolde had created for the event. Nate had convinced a friend who worked for the con to hire the faux bakery, Cake & Cake, off of the advice that they were making the cake for his wedding. Isolde was baking Nate & Maura’s cake, but there was no Cake & Cake business. Isolde only worked for one person. And now that cake was in an enormous box with the faux Cake & Cake logo Gen had designed printed on it in baby blue. There was also a second, smaller cake in a second, smaller box that was being held until closing. A little decoy box, if you will.
“Cake in my possession,” Laz said over their earpiece.
“That’s our cue,” Kierse said.
Lyra adjusted her basket of roses and then looped her arm through Kierse’s as they headed together toward the ballroom.
“Let’s try not to get held up by some handsy monster.”
Lyra’s eyes were dark and piercing. “I was trying to get held up by you.”
“I know.”
“We still could,” Lyra offered under her breath. “I don’t bite.”
Kierse laughed softly. “I think you do.”
Lyra grinned, showing off her elongated canines. “Only if you ask me to.”
Damn Lyra for being 1,000 percent her type.
A throat cleared abruptly on the line. Graves was clearly listening in on their conversation. Lyra bit her lip and then pulled Kierse toward the exit.
“Hurry up, girls,” a manager said as he yanked open the door that led into the ballroom. “You’re missing a basket.” The man stuffed a basket full of masks into Kierse’s hand. “Hand those out and don’t come back until they’re gone.”
Lyra waved her hand. “Of course, Jeremy.”
Then they were through the door and into the mass of people. Kierse’s jaw dropped. She had known from the start that the Curator was showcasing his collection of famous artworks, priceless jewelry, monster artifacts, and magical objects—including the cauldron, which would be unveiled after the dinner—and while she’d memorized the layout of the showcasing room, it was nothing to the actual display.
The Curator had earned his name honorably. The pieces on display were beyond stunning. Kierse had walked the halls of the Met with Graves and Kingston not six months earlier, enamored and a bit overwhelmed. The Curator’s was nearly as splendid. They passed a towering renaissance sculpture, crown jewels in a glittering necklace and earrings set, and a long, golden staff from an Egyptian monster hunter. Each item more dazzling than the next.
“How did they even get him to show all this stuff off?” Lyra asked.
“He volunteered,” Kierse said. “Guess he was tired of living in the shadows with his prized possessions.”
“How do you think he even got all of it?”
Kierse shrugged. “He’s a Druid. Long lived.”
Lyra wrinkled her nose. “Thank fuck my parents aren’t like this.”
“Can we focus?” Graves said over the line.
Nate appeared then, taking a black mask out of her basket and covering his face. “All set here,” he said with a wink.
“Noted,” Graves said.
“See you soon,” he told Kierse before blending back into the crowd.
Kierse glanced across the room full of bespoke suits and custom gowns. Her eyes found Graves at the edge of the party with Kingston gesturing wildly next to him. She would have rather had him watching her back, but they needed Lyra for an alibi. With the arrival of Kingston, it was more imperative than ever that Graves be seen in public at all times. The last thing they wanted was for anyone to get suspicious.