The Dolls(92)

I call Peregrine when I’m done and ask if she can conference Chloe in. When they’re both on the line, I hastily explain my mother’s lip gloss and the charm I just cast over it.

“How do you know it will work?” Peregrine asks.

“I don’t,” I say. “But do you have a better idea?”

“No,” she admits. “But you’re the only one who will see the mark of the traitor?”

“That’s what Boniface said,” I tell her.

“Can’t hurt to try,” Chloe says. “Let us know the second you see anything, okay?”

“Of course,” I say. “Don’t tell anyone, though. I know you two aren’t the ones who betrayed Glory, but it could be someone else we trust.”

“Like one of your unfortunate little friends from the Périphérie?” Peregrine asks sweetly.

Chloe surprises me by saying, “Lay off, Peregrine. It could be anyone. And Eveny, I agree. We don’t know who to trust. Your secret’s safe.”

“Peregrine?” I ask.

“Whatever,” she says. I hear a doorbell ring in the background and Peregrine says, “Cristof is here. I’m getting my hair done. See you tonight.”

I hear a click, then Chloe’s voice. “You still there?” she asks.

“I’m here.” I pause. “Will you call Caleb and tell him about this too? I know it’s not him, but I don’t think I can handle talking to him right now.”

“I’ll do it.” She pauses and adds, “Good luck, Eveny. I hope this works.”

“Me too.”


Liv comes over late that afternoon so we can get ready for the ball together. She’s so excited about her dress—a slinky purple satin sheath—and her date with Drew that she doesn’t seem to notice how quiet I’m being.

“Do you think Drew’ll try anything tonight?” she asks as she curls her hair in my bathroom mirror. I’m standing beside her, putting on my eye makeup. “I think he likes me, but this will be our first date-date. We’ve been talking on the phone every night, though, and our chemistry is pretty insane. Am I being totally lame?”

She’s talking so quickly I can barely keep up with her, but her enthusiasm is just what I need to keep my mind off of what might happen later.

“You’re not being lame at all. And I bet he’ll try to kiss you,” I say.

Liv laughs. “Maybe.” She fluffs her curls in satisfaction, turns to look at herself from both the left and the right in the mirror, then unplugs the curling iron. “How do I look?”

“Gorgeous.”

“You okay, Eveny?” she asks, watching my reflection in the mirror closely.

“Me? I’m fine!” I overenthuse.

“You’re nervous about Caleb.” Her expression is sympathetic and concerned. “I know I keep saying this, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” she says. “Just kiss him!”

I look down at the tube of charmed lip gloss, which lies on the bathroom counter. “I will.”

I finish putting on mascara, then add a dusting of peach blush, which makes my skin look luminous. My hair falls around my shoulders in gentle, rippling waves, and the beautiful champagne-colored dress I’ve pulled from my mother’s closet compliments my coloring perfectly.

The last thing I do before leaving the bathroom is to uncap the charmed gloss, slick it over my lips, and glance once more at the mirror. Thanks, Mom, I think as I set the gloss down on the bathroom counter.

I take a deep breath, pray that Liv isn’t the one I need to worry about, and give her a kiss on the cheek. I sigh in relief when no mark appears. “I’m so glad we’re friends,” I tell her.

“Me too, Eveny.” She looks at me more closely. “Ooh, let me grab some of that gloss,” she says, reaching for the tube. She runs it over her own lips before I can stop her.

Liv hands me back the tube, and I shove it into the little beige purse she loaned me for the evening, hoping she didn’t affect the potency of the magic.

“You okay?” I ask uncertainly.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

The doorbell rings before I can answer, and Liv’s eyes widen. “They’re here!”

She’s already barreling out of the bathroom before I have a chance to reply. I say a little prayer that nothing bad will happen to her tonight, and follow her downstairs.

Liv blows me a kiss then pulls the door open. Drew and Caleb are standing there side by side, each of them clutching small, clear boxes with corsages inside.

“We pulled up at the same time,” Drew says, gesturing to Caleb. “Although now I’m thinking we should have coordinated.” He refocuses on Liv and holds out the corsage, which is white with little green ribbons. “You look really pretty, Liv.”