Page 59 of Magic and Matrimony

“You know Heathens has an incredible themed witching moon party every year.” I cock my head. I’m going to need a big drink after this trial.

Heathens is one of the clubs owned by Roth Entertainment. The other club in town, Scarlet, is more of a traditional venue with dance music and signature mixed drinks. Heathens would be considered more of an underground nightclub and a bit taboo. It’s literally built in an abandoned church. Hence the name. It’s also the sexiest of our clubs. Full of dark corners and private booths. Every year on the witching moon, the club has a themed party. Tonight’s theme is angels and demons.

“I don’t have anything to wear to a themed party.” Piper shakes her head. Odie grins at her, already getting her phone out of her pocket. Her fingers fly across the screen as she texts someone. She shoves her phone back in her pocket and signs, “You’re coming with me. We’ll let the boys get ready on their own.” Turning to me, she signs, “We’ll meet you at the club at ten.”

“Don’t be late," I call out. Piper’s eyes go wide as Odie grabs her hand and yanks her out the front door.

28

PIPER

I’ve never been to Odie’s house before. We really only started to get to know each other when Josephine and Roman got together. Initially, it was one of those our-friends-are-a-couple-so-we-should-be-friendly-too situation, but the more I get to know Odie, the more I like her. She has a very calming presence. That doesn’t mean she can’t get hyped up about things, but there’s something almost magical about the way she makes me feel. As though I’m the best version of myself and I should be proud of it.

“Ava and Josephine are going to meet us at my place,” Odie signs before turning on her car. Music blasts through the speakers as the car turns on, and Odie gives me a sheepish grin.

We pull up in front of a modest sized house. The style is midcentury modern, with cool architectural details. It’s full of angles, a steep, pitched roof, and windows everywhere. Her house is at the end of a private road, so I guess she doesn’t worry about people peeking into her windows, but I think I’d get scared out here at night in the middle of the woods.

I follow Odie inside. She gives me a brief tour, pointing in different directions as she shows me where the bathroom and bedrooms are. There’s a knock on the door and a few seconds later Odie’s ushering in Josephine, Ava, and Stellan.

“I tried to make this a girl’s only event.” Ava points at her twin brother. “But someone can’t stand being left out.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know getting ready and pre-partying was just for girls. I like to have fun too,” Stellan says, pouting a little bit.

“How did the challenge go?” Josephine asks me. I know there’s no way Roman hasn’t already called her, but I tell them the details of the trial and who didn’t make it.

“Good,” Josephine says. “Fuck Anastasia,” she spits out, with more fire than normal. She hates Anastasia for what she did to Roman. Rightfully so.

Ava and Josephine are armed with bags of makeup, an assortment of clothing options for the night, and huge grins on their faces.

“I always wanted to go to Heathen.” Ava wiggles her eyebrows. “I heard they have orgies there.”

“That’s not true,” Josephine says. “Is it?” She looks over at Odie, who grins and shrugs.

“You never know what could happen,” she signs.

“I don’t want to talk about orgies with my sister in the room,” Stellan says as he sits on the couch and turns on the TV as if he’s been here a hundred times. Maybe he has.

I look around at my friends, seeing their excitement and happiness.

“I don’t have anything to wear.” I suck on my bottom lip. I guess I should’ve gone back to the chateau. Still, I’m not sure I have anything sexy enough for an angels and devils party.

“I’ve got you covered,” Odie signs and grins at me. I look her up and down. Odie is several inches taller than me and has anathletic body, slim and muscular. I don’t know what she has in mind, but if it has buttons or a zipper, there’s no way it’ll fit.

“Trust me.” Odie points to Stellan. “You stay here.”

She shouldn’t have even bothered. He’s already asleep on the couch. I swear to the Maiden, any time that man sits down, he’s out like a light. Must be nice to be so unburdened, you can sleep anywhere at any time.

We follow Odie into her room, which is as light and tranquil as the rest of the house. She throws open the door to a closet that is probably as big as the rest of the bedroom.

“Holy shit,” Ava gasps as we walk inside.

“My brother works in fashion. He gets me a lot of samples,” Odie signs.

She starts to walk down one side of the closet, her hand gliding over one piece of fabric to the next as though she’s looking for something just right. The closet is color coded, and she shakes her head at the white. She looks me over before moving over to the black side of the closet.

A sly grin tips up her mouth. “You are definitely going to be a devil.”

I gulp when she brings over the dress.

---