Maybe he’d sent a volunteer.

I gave Magnus’s hand an encouraging squeeze and led him down the stairs. Saba was waiting by the door, as if she expected trouble.

“I’ll meet you in the game room,” I said.

Magnus kissed my hand. “Don’t be long.”

I waited until he’d disappeared and then opened the door. I recognized the pink hair in a simple bun before the person, and then Kelela stepped inside without waiting to be invited, rubbing her arms.

I gaped. “What are you doing here? What happened to your party?”

“It’s not until tomorrow night. Esjay thinks I’m out saying good-bye to friends,” she said, buttoning her coat, tucking the collar around her neck.

“Does Esjay know you’re here?”

“He knows I’m seeing friends.” She gave me a direct look, like she planned to kill me if I ever told anyone those friends meant us. “If I do this, you have to swear you’ll protect me when the time comes.”

“Protect—” My heart felt heavy as a rock. “Kelela. No.”

“I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Magnus won’t agree to it.”

“No one in their right mind would volunteer for this. And I—” She paused. Swallowed. “I love him. I know he doesn’t love me the same way, but I can’t help it. I’ve watched him suffer for three years … I can’t do it anymore.”

We were quiet for a moment.

“So, do you swear?” she asked again, and her voice warbled slightly.

Immediately the scripture stating not to swear settled in my head, as it always did in these situations. But this was a great sacrifice Kelela was making, and I could tell just by looking at her she was terrified. She needed to hear it. “I swear it.”

We stood there awkwardly for a moment. “So, will this all happen tonight? I couldn’t get Peggy to agree to stay overnight.”

I raised my eyebrows slightly. “So, the dinner party…?”

“Esjay’s idea. But Peggy helping was mine. There’s no way I’d get away with this with her in the house.”

I couldn’t help but grin. So, her evil actually could be used for good.

“He’s in the game room,” I said. She led the way while I hung back with Saba to exchange wary looks.

“I knew I smelled your perfume,” Magnus said, though he kept his eyes on his drawing. “After yesterday, I didn’t think—”

“Magnus.” I could already hear tears in her voice. She dropped down next to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, making him drop his pencil. “You have to look at me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, but squeezed his eyes shut, as if he expected her to try it without his cooperation.

“I’m the only volunteer you’re going to get.”