Meanwhile, Roy, Elaine, and I would be patrolling the crowd, looking for signs of wraiths and ready to step in if anyone looked to be in danger.

Dilara had supplied the partygoers with rowanberry bracelets from the Wicked Orchid, and almost everyone wore one. She’d also set up bundles of berries around the house to help weaken spirits, while Alice had offered to maintain a protection spell on the ballroom to prevent magical attacks.

If all went according to plan, I’d confront Fin once we found him, and the others would evacuate the ballroom.

Then all I had to do was win.

Max has just spooked an older couple coming down from their room, and we’re both laughing when Anna and the twins enter, looking fantastic.

“Yes, I’d say we look fabulous as well,” says Kara as they reach the base of the stairs.

“Thank you for saying so,” says Rose, and my cheeks flush.

The twins laugh and slip their arms from Anna’s, drifting toward where Dilara is waving at them in the crowd.

Anna clasps her hands before her. “You look great too,” she says. “Though I think there’s a bit of blood on your shoulder.”

I check my shoulder before I can stop myself. It’s clean. This isn’t even my suit, but an old one of Roy’s, and his husband, Jamie, spent the entire evening fitting it to my size. The silver vest and black dress shirt are also his.

Anna laughs, and I grin, offering her my arm. She slips hers through mine and we both pause as Max leaps onto my shoulders.

“Time to stop an ancient Irish god from destroying the fabric of the universe.” She says it jokingly, but I can feel the tenseness of her arm against mine.

I squeeze it reassuringly. “No big deal.”

We start through the house, weaving between people in costumes and tables of snacks. Neither of us makes it past one without snagging a chocolate pumpkin or spiced cookie. Irish music fills the room, light and quick. The tables have been moved to the side, leaving a dance floor open by the base of the stairs. The entire place is filled with masked faces.

Anna holds tighter to my arm and our eyes meet. She doesn’t say anything, but the reassurance behind them is clear.

“There you two are!” Elaine’s voice rings out over the clamor. She slips nimbly between two guests dressed as faeries to join us. Her costume reflects tonight’s plans, resembling a superhero in all black leather and a simple black mask, complete with a wooden staff for fighting.

“Has anyone noticed anything yet?” I ask, keeping my attention on the crowd.

“Not yet,” Elaine replies. “Gran says we’ll know when he’s here. The whole party will, even if they don’t know what they’re sensing.”