Tess floated around the ballroom, commenting on the lack of ghosts. “I wonder if shifters eat everything when they kill people, including their souls?” she mused aloud.
Moira shook her head. “We shouldn’t ask questions we don’t want the answers to,” she muttered.
“But I do want the answer,” Tess insisted. “If they do devour their spirits, maybe we should create a shifter only assassination squad and have them target all the bad paranormal criminals so they won’t come back as poltergeists?”
Moira and I gave each other a look before the vampire shrugged. “That’s actually not a bad idea,” she muttered, making me laugh.
“We could call it Spirit Dogs,” I said.
Moira let out a cackle.
The sound of an amused throat clearing made me wince. I turned to see Simone in the doorway. She hadn’t been around much lately, so I waved happily when I spotted her.
“Ladies,” she said as she walked in. “How’s everything going?”
“Almost finished.” I pointed up at the ceiling. “We have a few more garlands to stream, and then I need to activate them.”
Simone grimaced. “No funny business this time, Evie.”
I crossed my heart. “No funny business. Scout’s honor.”
Simone rolled her eyes. “Were you actually a Scout?”
“Nope, but I’m using the spirit of the word and not the actual Scout oath.”
“Is there an oath?” Moira wondered aloud.
I shrugged. “I’m sure there is. Something inspiring about fidelity and tree trunks, probably.”
“Focus, ladies,” Simone warned. “We only have a few hours before catering has to come in and set up. Will you be finished by then?”
I nodded. “Yes, but I can’t be interrupted when I start activating spells, otherwise you might get a man-eating vine in place of a friendly, thornless climbing rose.”
Simone blanched. “Ah, yes. We can’t have that, can we?”
Moira huffed a laugh. “Is this a formal dinner?” she asked.
The Omega gave her a horrified stare. “You don’t have a dress yet?”
Moira jerked like she’d been shot. “A dress? No. I wouldn’t wear a dress to a funeral even if it was my mother in that box and it was her last wish.”
Simone blinked. “I—I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
“Focus.” I grinned at her. “Moira always looks fantastic. She has that vampire flair for fashion. It’s me you should worry about.”
Moira grimaced. “She is not wrong. Evie’s fashion tastes skew more Sunday hobo than sexy chic.”
The Omega cleared her throat. “About that…”
Foreboding skittered up my spine. My smile dropped. “Spit it out, Simone.”
To her credit, Simone looked uncomfortable. “The Lord left something for you. I’m to take you to it.”
“Does it bite?” I said flatly.
Simone sighed. “Honestly, Evie. Can you give him at least a little credit?”
At my flat look, she shook her head. “Follow me, then.”
