Charlotte squeals with delight. Alice leaves the room for a few minutes and returns with a key on a ribbon. I take it from her, slide the small oil painting on the wall above the fireplace to one side, and unlock the safe, muttering the required incantation under my breath as I do so. I pause, my eyes closed for several seconds until I hear the lock release. I take out the green leather case and set in on the dressing table, sitting down once more. The three of use stare at the large, gold-embossed box. As I open it, the diamonds catch the light and sparkle and flash almost blue. Charlotte gasps. I hear Alice sigh. I reach in and let my fingers caress the cold, hard stones. As always, they seem to sing with a very special magic of their own. I lift up the cascade of platinum and gems and hold it to my throat. Alice fastens it for me and the necklace rests heavily against my skin, sending tiny shocks and shivers through my body.

Behind me Charlotte claps her hands with delight. “Oh, Lilith! Now I know we are going to have a simply divine evening!”

Only a few weeks ago I could not have imagined being so excited about the ball. After the Yulemass revelations the mood in the coven was dour, and the future seemed bleak. We have consulted further spirit guides, who have given us some reassurance, but the mood among my fellow witches is one of anger and fear, and many have taken practical steps to prevent tragedy if they can. While we may not avert war, we can be better prepared, and those who were singled out have begun putting plans into action to protect their sons. Some have already been shipped off abroad. Others will be given positions that keep them as out of harm’s way as is possible. Of course, those “boys” who know of the prophecy as they were present themselves, have, to their credit, refused to be shielded in such ways. They reason that it will be as much their duty to fight as anyone else’s and they must take their chances. Louis is one such stalwart youth. He has told me of heated exchanges with the earl, but he has refused to be sent away on some spurious diplomatic mission. He will stay and face what comes. He knows that I admire his courage, and I believe that gives him some comfort. It is largely because of Amelia’s revelations that I have failed to find the courage to inflict more suffering on Louis by breaking off our engagement. It feels horribly disloyal, given what lies ahead.