Down the center aisle, Maura pushed her way through the writhing mass, Addison on her heels. When they reached the stage, Irene saw the tears streaming down Addison’s face. Taylor had fallen into the same laughing fit that Clem couldn’t shake. Harper was running her hands all over Quinn, pressing kisses to her neck in a frenzy. Only Maura and Quinn seemed put together.

Sylvia shook her head in dismay and brought her glass to her lips when Nate knocked it out of her hands.

“I was looking forward to that.” She glared at him.

“Unless you want to end up like them, I wouldn’t,” Nate said. He held up his own drink and pointed the glass at Maura; liquor sloshed over the edge. “You did this!”

Maura held up her hands. “I’m only here to pay my respects.”

“I know shadow magic when I feel it.” He rounded on Irene. “This was your plan all along.”

Irene gaped at him. “You think the shadow garden caused this?”

“Actually, Mom, I think he’s right,” Addison said. She held herself tightly. “I took a sip and… the rosemary…”

Irene wanted to wrap an arm around her, but she was unsteady on her feet as it was. She didn’t want to send both of them toppling over the edge of the stage.

“The rosemary is fine,” Maura said. “We can’t control the garden’s effects at an event where emotions run high. You signed the waiver. You knew the risk.”

Nate shook his head. “No, this is something else. This was clearly deliberate.”

“The only thing wrong here was my decision not to put my foot down,” Maura said. “We never should’ve sold you a single sprig.”

Addison winced.

Sylvia reached out and rested a hand on Addison’s shoulder. “It’s all right,” she said. “Your grandmother’s right. We knew the risks.”

All at once, the room went quiet.

Clem’s laughter ceased.

Addison’s tears dried up.

Nate’s red face went back to its normal flush.

Irene may have been a bit tipsy, but she knew that was definitely not how shadow garden magic worked. It was meant to be a sustained amplification—to last a couple of hours at least—not a burst that hit you all at once, then disappeared.

The crowd turned their focus toward the stage.

Sylvia stepped up to the mic. “Thank you all for pouring your hearts into that toast.”

Irene stared at her. Why was she covering for them?

But Maura was already herding her family out of the room. Irene held Kaden’s hand tight.

“Kaden, wait,” Sylvia called after them.

He shook his head. “Sorry, Mom,” he said. “I…” He glanced down at a fleck of puke on his lapel. “I have to go.”