A girl held a cellphone against her ear. “Mom, you’ll never believe it. We’re going to a speakeasy! A real NOLA style speakeasy in Jackson Square. I can’t wait. I’ll send pics! Bye!”

Pierce actually took a step forward, but I yanked him back with a shake of my head. His face fell, then turned green. A few members of Sweyn’s court bounced out the doors and hurried up to the group with wide smiles that almost revealed their fangs. Sometimes I didn’t understand how the humans didn’t see this excitement as a red flag, but I knew the power of Sweyn’s glamours. These poor people had no idea what was coming for them.

I did. We did. I’d warned my crew before we left Avolire of what was to come so they could control their reactions. Sweyn came to New Orleans to grow her army. She was here to turn humans into vampires. It didn’t even matter if the human was beautiful already. The magic of the Unseelie blood would make them beautiful. It was part of their evolution and survival. Beauty was lethal. I tried not to look at their faces. I’d been haunted for far too long by the faces of those I couldn’t protect. They weren’t leaving this party alive without fangs.

Sweyn would turn them . . . or she would kill them.

Lately, I wished death for them. It would be less torturous.

Malik cursed. His whole big body was shaking. “I can’t watch this.”

“I know,” I said softly. “But you do not have to watch the act. You just have to do as she asked and guard the door.”

Pierce stared at the door they’d all walked through with a haunted expression I knew too well. “This is so wrong.”

“I wish I could still, ya know . . .” Libby shook her arms out in front of her and little red lightning bolts flickered around her hands, “. . . make them leave.”

Braison gagged and covered his mouth, turning away from everyone.

Saber stepped out of the fog and walked right up to us with a grim expression. Her eyes met mine for a moment before she turned to the others. “Fix your faces, boys, she’s coming.”

No sooner did she say it, I felt it. That ice-cold sharpness to the air that only occurred when Sweyn was approaching. And she was purring with excitement, which sent a chill down my spine. Half a moment later, Braison and Libby stood up straight and frowned. They turned to face the direction I was. Ah, impressively fast senses, Covenlings. Saber nodded in approval.

Malik scowled and glanced around, then looked to Pierce. “What’s wrong?”

Pierce sighed. “I don’t feel what they do, but I’ve learned how to recognize that look in people. She’s coming.”