“Oh. That’s awful.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll call an ambulance.”

“No!” she shouted, before letting her face soften again. “It will take too long for them to get here. If she doesn’t get an EpiPen now, she’ll die.”

His face blanched. “Where do I get an EpiPen?”

“There are three thousand people in here. One of them is bound to have an allergy.”

He cleared his throat. “Shall I… shall I interrupt the performance?”

She let the genuine desperation show on her face. She didn’t know how long Zee would have before her heart gave out. “Please hurry, before it’s too late.”

The man turned, flinging open the door and breaking into a run. As Ursula was left with her own thoughts, she could feel some of her energy returning. She could call Kester now, but she didn’t want to bring him into this until she’d already gained control of the situation. She didn’t need to call him just to tell him she’d become entangled in another disaster.

She reached down, feeling Zee’s pulse again. Still there, but growing fainter. Panic twisted through Ursula. She couldn’t let Zee die. Maybe this was the time to call Kester. She turned, reaching for her purse that lay on the tiles, when Silver-Hair slammed the door open, a green tube in his hands.

“I’ve got it!” he said, beaming. He rushed across the tiles and handed it to Ursula.

“Thank you so much. You’ve saved her life.” She popped off the blue cap, sliding the EpiPen out of its tube and scanning the directions.

“We should call an ambulance,” said the man.

“Let me concentrate.” It came out harsher than she’d meant it. “Please.”

She pulled off the blue safety, reared back her arm, and jammed the pen into Zee’s leg. She counted to ten, watching as Zee’s eyelids fluttered.

“See, she’s getting better.” She couldn’t believe this had worked. “You saved her. You’re an amazing, beautiful man.” Too much, Ursula. Rein it in.

He cleared his throat. “She’s not awake yet. I really think we should call that amb—”

Ursula slapped Zee in the face as hard as she could, and when the fae’s blue eyes opened, Ursula leaned over. “Zee, you had a reaction to the salad. It was the hidden walnuts.”

Zee’s gaze met hers, registering understanding.

Ursula leaned in close and whispered: “You need to tell this man you’re OK.” I really hope she can still glamour them.

“I—I’m OK.” Zee’s voice wavered, but Silver-Hair nodded.

Silver-Hair stepped closer, leaning over her. “Let me help you up.”

Zee shot up, grabbing the man by his collar. “I’m feeling much better now. You are no longer needed. Get the fuck out, and don’t tell anyone about me.”

In a daze, he rose and tottered out the door.