My stomach turns. I nearly trip over the toe of my boot as I stumble and throw up all over the sidewalk.

“Frances!” Lena exclaims.

“I’m sorry,” I heave, fighting back tears. “I’m so sorry.”

Every step we take away from the mansion, away from the veil, I feel my magic weaken. What was once a blaze is now a candle, flickering weakly in the wind. I’m grateful to be away from the Brothers of Morte d’Arthur, but I grieve for my power. It hurts worse to lose it now that I remember how alive I feel when it’s present.

Finn comes to enough to walk for himself a few blocks later and in silence, we make our way back to the DuPre flat. Finn is the slowest amongst us, hobbling alone behind the rest of the pack. Oliver keeps pace with me, a protective arm slung over my shoulder.

In thick silence, we ride the elevator up, and march through the abandoned, dark halls. The heels of our shoes click against the checkerboard marble.

We follow Maxine to her room without question, and collapse on the floor as she lights a kerosene lamp.

Oliver brings me a crystal glass of water from the washroom. I take it and gulp it down. It washes away the sour taste from my mouth, but my stomach still rolls.

“I knew the duke was interested in dark magic, but I didn’t know—” Finn says from where he lies on the floor by the window. He’s illuminated in moonlight, flat on his back under the fluttering white curtains.

“About the human sacrifice?” Maxine finishes his sentence venomously.

“Is the duke really immortal?” I ask. “Is that what tonight was about?”

Finn sighs heavily. “The Brothers of Morte d’Arthur are obsessed with overcoming death, I told you that. They spent centuries trying to find the Fountain of Youth and then the Holy Grail. Most regarded them as zealots. But there have always been rumors.”

“Rumors of what?” I say. I don’t have it in me to be angry. I’m too hollowed out.

“That they could use the veil between the living and the dead to perform forbidden magic. It’s made them a laughingstock in the magical community. I didn’t think much of it until tonight. I was hopeful they’d know about the veil. I never dreamed they’d use it like that.”

“Does the spell work?” Lena asks. “Did that man truly make himself immortal?”

Immortality. I shiver at the thought. I wish my brother had gotten more time and I certainly hope I have more years left on this earth, but forever is a terrifying prospect.

“Anais did say she was his great-granddaughter,” Maxine says.

“Who is Anais?” Oliver asks. He’s unbuttoned his tuxedo, and laid his head on the jacket. The black silk tie hangs loose around the hollow of his throat.