They were about to leave when Mei ran back up to Mina and gave her a quick hug, pressing something cold and round into her hands—the seam ripper. Mina ran back to her bathroom tucked it in the dress. She took one last look at her reflection in the mirror and tried to smile.

The smile froze on her lips when her reflection began to flicker in and out.

Chapter 18

The conversation on the way to the ball was a bit stilted and one-sided. She knew she was being a terrible date by not responding with more than one word answers. Brody even asked her multiple times if she was okay. She could see by the way he gripped the steering wheel that he was getting frustrated.

“It’s the curse, isn’t it?” he choked out as he pulled the car up to valet parking.

“Yes,” she admitted.

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, because for a minute there, I thought you didn’t like me anymore. But don’t worry. I’m here. We’ll finish this tale together.” He reached out to touch a lock of her hair. “I never got a chance to apologize.”

“Apologize for what? I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’m making this into a horr—”

Brody’s finger touched her lips, silencing her words midsentence. And making her accidentally kiss his fingers. “I’m apologizing because I never got to say how beautiful you look tonight. When your brother answered the door and I saw you standing there, I was at a loss for words.”

Mina was afraid to move, her cheeks burning in embarrassment. He leaned forward to kiss her when the driver-side door swung open.

The valet attendant stood there awkwardly. “Oh, excuse me. I’m s-sorry.”

Brody didn’t pull back but changed direction and ended with a slight peck on her cheek instead. She was slightly disappointed, but they had an audience.

Brody hurried to make it around the car before the attendant, to open her door for her. She took his hand and let him lead her toward the steps of the country club.

The club was built to mimic old plantation homes but on a much grander scale. Large columns lined the front of the building and its long wraparound balconies. A light shone in each window giving the place a warm and inviting feel. For once, the weather was cooperating and the evening was warm.

She saw a fire truck pull up the driveway and circle around to the back of the club.

“What’s going on?”

Brody answered. “There’ll be a fireworks show at midnight tonight.”

“Oh, cool,” she replied, trying to not sound stressed. He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She was sure it was probably cold and clammy, but she tried not to think about it as he led her up the steps to the front doors.

His mother was one of the greeters, and she looked regal in a gown of gold, her hair secured in a coif with gold colored pearls.

“You made it, and you’re on time,” Melody teased her son.

He gave his mother his most dashing smile then leaned in and gave her a kiss on each cheek.

Melody held her mask in her hand and turned to greet Mina warmly. “Welcome, Mina. I hope you have a magical night.”

“I’m sure it will be one to remember.” Mina returned her smile.

Melody pointed to the mask Mina was twirling in her fingers. “Don’t forget. You can’t enter without wearing your mask. Brody, where’s yours?”

“I forgot it…at home.” He didn’t seem the least bit sorry.

“Well, that’s no problem. We are prepared for just this scenario.” His mom turned to a stand next to her and handed Brody a plain silver mask from the small tray.

Brody shrugged his shoulders. “It was worth a shot.” He picked up the mask and placed the black elastic band over his head. Mina followed suit, although hers was attached with thin silver ribbon.

“Here, let me.” Melody reached out and helped Mina. “You look lovely, dear.”

“Thank you.”

With masks properly secured, they entered the country club hand in hand. It seemed the doors to the ballroom hadn’t been opened yet and everyone was mingling in the foyer. Tuxes, ruffled dresses, and perfume filled the air, and the impending quest made Mina feel nauseated.

They were there barely a minute before Lara, wearing a skin-tight green formal dress and Daphne in short purple mini-dress descended on them from a spiral staircase in the middle of the room. They must have been lying in wait for Brody. Both girls wore matching masks, covering just their eyes and noses. The way they smiled in Mina’s direction filled her with unease.

Their smiles were too confident, too pasty white, too fake.

“Oh, Brody sweetie, you’re here,” Lara drawled. She came up and planted a kiss on each of his cheeks. Daphne sidled up close and followed suit, but her pecks on each cheek were drawn out much longer than was appropriate.

Brody pulled back in surprise at Daphne’s advances and almost tripped over another attendee.

Daphne laughed and pulled him closer to her. “Careful, I’m not usually the one doing the saving.”

Lara looked irate, but she quickly calmed herself and turned to offer Mina a small booklet with a ribbon. “Here you are.”

“What is this?” Mina asked, looking it over. She opened it up and saw each of the songs laid out in order. Next to each song was an unfamiliar name.

“It’s your dance card, silly.” She opened up her own book and explained. “It’s the song list that we worked on, and next to each is your dance partner for that song. Since you’re new to this event, and we didn’t feel it was right for yours not to be filled, we took the liberty of filling it out for you.”

Mina scanned the list and her heart fell. Brody’s name was only on there twice, right after a Simon Rochester. She looked over at Lara’s dance card and raised her eyebrow.

“Honey, it’s not considered proper to dance with the same person too much, and Brody said you were just a friend. We thought it pertinent to fill it with other eligible men.” She smiled, and Mina wanted to shove her fist through those pearly whites.

Brody, confused, picked up Mina’s dance card and scanned it himself. Then he pulled Daphne’s from her wrist, much to her own surprise. “I’m on your card three times.”

She pouted beautifully. “That’s because I’m not just a friend from school.” Daphne ran her hand around the back of his neck and he yanked away from her.

He looked ready to explode. “Who approved this?”

“Why, your own mother, Brody. Weeks ago. It was her idea. That’s why she wanted the music picked out ahead of time,” Daphne said. “Then at the end of the night your cousin’s band the Dead Prince Society will perform. But until eleven o’clock we follow these.” She held up her own card.

“We posted the available dance cards online, and they were mostly filled within hours,” Lara added. “We sent you the link, Brody. The ones who didn’t sign up got distributed among the dance cards. Did you not check your email? You can talk to your mother if you want, but it’s all been approved. Don’t create a scandal for your family.”

Brody ran his hands through his hair. Clearly, he was torn. Of course he didn’t want to cause a scene and embarrass his parents.

Daphne smiled like the cat who ate the mouse. “I’m surprised you didn’t know. I’m almost certain I heard your mother mention it to you.”